The Meeting
In a Desert, A fuzzy figure was using 2 coloured flames, in both hands each, as he made an incomplete lotus with them, which then exploded with destructive power.
In the heart of that explosion, a purple-coloured lightning was resisting the attack-
Suddenly the vision changed and the fuzzy figure took out a giant black greatsword and struck at another purple figure, after which a very powerful figure appeared behind the purple person and saved him.
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"The hell was that!"
Hong Chen's entire Dou Qi was used up as he used his [Divination] ability for the first time.
He knew that the Divininations were vague fragments from the future which may never come true, but since he had peak perfection in it, he could at least get some valuable information.
He was running his [Wind-Lightning Dual Mantra] with full concentration to get some of his Dou Qi back after which he took some pills out from his spatial ring and ate them.
'That figure was either Yao Lao or Xiao Yan attacking me. That is for sure. And the figure with the black ruler in another scene was also Xiao Yan, but it seemed like a powerful individual saved me? Was I in an imminent threat? Who saved me? I need to study the vision more carefully. I know that it might also be a metaphor for something else, but any clue would go a long way to further my growth.'
Hong Chen was sitting on his palatial bed inside of a cave in the Magic beast Mountain while his Rank 4 Nether Crow was guarding the cave entrance.
He was making preparations…preparations to further his growth.
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After carefully studying the divination, Hong Chen came to the conclusion that the person who saved him from Xiao Yan in the divination was either Ling Ying, who was Gu Xun Er's Dou Emperor Level bodyguard; or it was someone else from the Ancient Clan, as the clothes they were wearing in the divination were eerly similar to the Gu Clan symbol he had studied.
Hong Chen was not from some back water clan and hence they knew who the eight Ancient Clans were and what their symbols were.
'Ling Ying should hate Xiao Yan now. He is very invasive of Gu Xun Er's privacy and it is a taboo for any Gu Clan member to have physical contacts with someone before their Coming of Age ceremony.'
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Xiao Yan had recently been told about his marriage arrangement with a girl named Nalan Yanran and he was very happy.
All the girls in the entire Wu Tan City fawned over him as he is a once in a 100 years genius, and now at the age of 10, he had already achieved 1-Star Dou Practitioner.
It was phenomenal and his father Xiao Zhan could not be more proud if he tried.
Behind the Xiao Family's estate, there was a very deep and dangerous precipice, from which if someone falls, then unless they are Dou Spirit level experts who are capable of flying, will meet a very painfull end.
This precipice was the only place where Gu Xun Er could come and try to relive her pain which was the side effect of refining the Rank 4 [Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame].
Whenever she felt that the side effects were about to kick in, and she was going to get the seizures, she would ask Ling Ying to bring her here so she doesn't worry anyone, and don't make anyone suspicious about her physique.
It was another such day when she had to endure the pain even the Ancient Clan wasn't able to suppress when suddenly Hong Chen appeared infront of her out of thin air.
"Who are you!?" Gu Xun Er instantly took a fighting stance and confronted Hong Chen; who ignored her and just landed on the edge of the precipice with a haggard expression and clothes full of blood.
He stumbled a little before he just fell back.
"What!" Exclaimed Xun Er as she couldn't help but notice that person who appeared infront of her was going to die, just like that.
She was still a 10 year old child, and was not a ruthless over the top Xiao Yan fan yet.
And hence she immediately asked Ling Ying who was always guarding her to rescue the young man.
Ling Ying did as ordered and fell after Hong Chen who seemed like he had already fainted, and if he continued falling like this, then he would very surely die.
The appearance of the boy and the way he was going to die, Ling Ying concluded that he must have been in some life-death situation and should've used a treasure to escape; but came here.
Any further investigation could only be done after waking the boy, and hence he scooped Hong Chen before he could fall to his death and appeared beside Xun Er.
Xun Er was incomporabily beautiful, and her clothes were elegant and her exquisite small face was devoid of any cosmetics, displaying an image of natural beauty and innocence. Her sleek black hair, which was randomly restricted by a short green cloth gathered at her waist. When the wind blew her drifting hair stirred one's heart.
On the young lady's unbearably small waist that one felt compelled to hug, a pale purple belt thoroughly outlined her graceful curves in a manner that even the eyes of a passerby could not help but peep.
She quickly came up to Ling Ying who put down Hong Chen on the ground and used his spiritual sense to check his conditions.
"Without doing a thorough examination, with just the looks of it, he seems to have suffered from a major battle and has used some treasure to escape death, Princess Xun Er.
Look at his clothes and the spatial ring on his finger. He is also in the realm of Dou Master and his bone age is only 15 years old."
Ling Ying did some preliminary examination as he felt that the more invasive examination was not needed now.
If this young man was a threat to his princess, then of cource he would've done it, but this all seems to be like an accident.
Ling Ying used his Dou Qi to slowly heal Hong Chen's body and soon, Xun Er's eyes met Hong Chen's.
"cough…cough ..cough cough cough."
Hong Chen went into a coughing fit as he coughed up blood which splattered on Gu Xun Er's breasts as she was crouching towards him, but she didn't seem to care as Ling Ying soon used his healing technique on Hong Chen's throat.
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Few hours ago in an unknown cave.
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Hong Chen was thinking how to approach Gu Xun Er.
She was undoubtedly one of the best backer Xiao Yan had, from being the successor of the powerful Ancient Clan which can rival the Halls of Soul to being the holder of the Rank 4 Heavenly Flame.
Hell she even gave away techniques like [God Seal Technique] to Xiao Yan like candy.
She was also very beautiful, which Hong Chen now realized could be his weakness afterall.
Hong Chen discovered that he had become lustful by nature but Gu Xun Er's family believes in in-breeding as they don't want their bloodline to get passed around and hence he had to approach her smartly.
Having an entire Ancient Clan and their Black Submerged Army at the back of his hand, and people like Dou God, literal god as father-in-law was a great way to leapfrog his cultivation.
'I can't just walts in Wu Tan City and ask to have an audience with her. No one will let me. Also that Xiao Yan is still a genius of the clan, he will never let me and if he denies, then the young and impressionable Xun Er will deny as well.
She also doesn't go anywhere to practice and is taught solely by Ling Ying who will not let just anyone come up to her.
And even if I can go up to her, what will I say?
No no no…I'll have to be smart about it.
Greed cannot move her, she even gives up the piece of the Tou She Ancient God's Jade for which she is here. Lust can never work on her. She already is full of pride, maybe I can exploit that…wait..
That's right! Sympathy!'
Hong Chen immediately looked inside his mindscape and everything related to sympathy appeared in his vision. In all the novesl the earthly soul had read, sympathy, fear and love were the only things which can make people lower their guards and do something they otherwise wouldn't!
'I can apparate from anywhere to anywhere with just a thought with enough Dou Qi, so even if I am in a grave danger, I can just apparate here; Yes!'
After metriculusly planning his next course of action, Hong Chen, who already had a very high levels of spiritual strength used his control and made some bruises all over his body, but the trick was that he made some bruises on his soul body aswell.
It was dangerous to endanger your soul body, but the more real it looks, the more quickly Ling Ying would believe him.
Even if Ling Ying checks him thoroughly, he can use his [Occlumancy] to create an illusion of a damaged soul.
It was quite logical as Ling Ying would not just bulldoze his way into Hong Chen's mind for information, and based on his [Divination] visions, he was sure that Ling Ying could be swayed to his side.
Preparing a plan and rehearsing his act, he instructed his Rank 4 Nether Crow to be on guard and attack anything which apparates after him when he returns. He couldn't be too careful.
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Hong Chen finally stopped spitting blood, and said in a hoarse voice,
"Water..Please"
As soon as he said it, Ling Ying used his Dou Qi to extract earth element, water element and fire element from air to make a beautiful glass which was instantly filled with water by extracting the moisture from the surroundings.
It only took him less than a second to do it, but Hong Chen was very impressed at his control on elements.
Hong Chen acted flawlessly and after after drinking the water, he heaved a few times to fill his lungs full of air, and breathed out.
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"Thankyou Senoir for the life-saving grace. This Junior will remember it." Said Hong Chen as he bowed his head towards Ling Ying and cupped his hands infront of him.
Ling Yin nodded as Hong Chen then turned towards Xun Er and said
"I am extremely sorry to have made your dress dirty with my blood, Junior Sister. You can ask me of anything to make it up to you."
"You can start by telling us who you are and how you got here?" Said Ling Ying as he snapped his fingers and all the blood covering Gu Xun Er simply floated off of her and dispersed.
Listening to this question, Hong Chen made a face which said that he was scared to tell anything about him.
His caution was well warranted, as if he had readily told about his background, then Ling Ying would've been skeptical as to why someone who just escaped death was telling about his origin to strangers.
"There is no need to be afraid, Senior Brother. We will not harm you in any way. As you can see, Uncle Ying even saved your life." Said Gu Xun Er as she saw the bruises on Hong Chen's body and clothes and felt pity.
"I suppose you deserve an explanation….sigh.." replied Hong Chen while he got up tremblingly and was supported by Gu Xun Er, which even surprised her, as she would generally never come in contact with any boy.
After getting up, he went beside the cliff, and sat down, facing the mountains far away.
"My name in Hong Chen, and I am the Young Master of the Hong Family from Tian Bei City.
Since young age, I have talent in the rare profession of Inscriptions, and hence my master who is an elder in the Wind-Lightning Pavilion had invited Incriptions expert to cultivate me.
Since I was sheltered all my life, I could not develop my fighting prowess and when this issue came up in my training, my master allowed me to go on an adventure like everyone else."
Listening up to here, Ling Ying was relieved as it made doing a background check on Hong Chen a lot easier.
He knew Central Plain's geography really well. There the Ancient Clan had alot of spies and anyone can verify the authenticity of this information.
Hong Chen knew that he cannot fool experts like Ling Ying with lies, and hence he mixed truth to make a convincing lie.
"After I started my adventure, I was very happy to finally be free for a little while, but…..But my happiness was short lived as they came after me."
"Who?" asked Gu Xun Er who was listening to his story with rapt attention.
"Those vengeful demons from the Hall of Souls!" replied Hong Chen with as much venom as he could muster.
Suddenly both Ling Ying and Gu Xun Er went on guard and started looking all around them.
If this kid was being pursued by the Hall of Souls, then it was possible that they had followed him.
"What happedned next! Tell me!" said Ling Ying with worry in his eyes as he couldn't risk Gu Xun Er who was on a mission to retrieve the the piece of [Tou She Ancient God's Jade].
"I… I was near Ming City when they attacked me. He only waved his hand but it felt like my soul was about to jump out of my body.
At the last moment, I used the Void Teleportation Token, a Heaven Rank artefact given to me by my Master.
I crushed the Token and it teleported me here….Where is this place?"
Hong Chen acted confused and angry while narrating this story and once Ling Ying heard that he was being pursued in the Ming City, which was very far away in the central plains, he let go of his guard.
Gu Xun Er and Ling Ying both believed him as Hong Chen was only a Dou Master, yet he bypassed Ling Ying's spiritual senses and appeared directly on the precipice. Only a Heavenly artefact can do that.
Still, Ancient Clan wouldn't have survived for so long if they weren't cautious and Ling Ying took out a pure block of jade from his Spatial Ring and gave it to Hong Chen.
"The Inscription profession is one of the rarest profession on the entire Dou Qi continent..rarer than even Alchemists. And your soul body does seem to be bruised, which is the style of the Hall of Souls only. It is no wonder that they would fancy your soul; as an Inscription master for them would only result in mayhem for the continent."
Hong Chen acted confused as he took the Jade block from Ling Ying's hands.
"Rest now and recover a little. After which I ask Junior Chen to make me a tracking charm, which can track anyone upto 1000 kilometers. I really need it and hence ask Junior for help. Till then I have some work and will be taking my leave now." Said Ling Ying as he gestured something to Gu Xun Er and vanished.
Hong Chen obviously knew that Ling Ying wanted him to prove the fact that he was an Inscription master because Inscription masters were rare, but Inscription masters of the age of 15 were unheard of.
Hong Chen first put the Jade block in his ring, and then took out some pills, after which he started practicing his [Wind-Lightning Dual Mantra] and rejuvenating his Dou Qi.
Gu Xun Er looked at the meditating Hong Chen, and with a smile, she left to take a bath because she felt a little awkward even after Ling Ying help her clean Hong Chen's blood and wanted to cleanse herself.
She wasn't afraid of Hong Chen in the absence of Ling Ying as even if a Dou Emperor came in person, there are enough treasures on her body to safely retreat and even endanger them.
As soon as she left, Hong Chen opened his eyes and thought
'Xiao Yan's room'
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After playing with Xiao Mei, Xiao Yan came into his room and took a bath, after which he sat down and started cultivating; when suddenly a dark shadow appeared behind him and he fainted.
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'Except for Rank 11 [Bone Chilling Flame] and [Flame Mantra], Salvage everything'
[[Soul Body], [Warm Soul Spirit Ring], Herbs, Techniques and Pills Salvaged. Rewarded 15200 Salvage Shards]
'High risk, High Rewards…Upgrade [Inscriptions] to Major Rank'
[[Inscriptions] has been upgraded to Major Rank. Cost: 1428 Salvage Shards]
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Gu Xun Er came back to the precipice to find Hong Chen almost fully recovered, in a new set of clothing and she had to admit that he looked very handsome.
He was definitely pleasing to the eye but she noticed that he was still somewhat sick.
'Must be because of the damage to his soul.' She thought.
Soon after, Ling Ying also arrived and seemed much more relaxed.
Ling Ying had went to one of his spies and had asked him to dig everything on Hong Chen from Hong Family.
The Ancient Clan was very resourceful and his spy didn't disappoint him when he confirmed everything about Hong Chen's background to Ling Ying.
"Oh senior, I didn't know you would be back so soon, I still haven't made you the Tracking Charm." said Hong Chen embarrassedly.
"Don't worry Young Master, I am in no hurry. Take some rest, I can see that your damage on your soul body has not healed. Here, take this pill, it will help your soul force to recover and heal quickly." Said Ling Ying with a small smile as he handed Hong Chen a jade bottle with one Soul Rejuvenation Pill which was a Rank 5 Pill, no less.
'Bingo!' Hong Chen thought as he discovered the change in tone from previous "Junior" to now "Young Master" from Ling Ying's voice.
It even shocked Gu Xun Er who telepathichally tried to communicate something to Ling Ying.
After Ling Ying ha verified Hong Chen's background, there was no need for him to make the tracking charm, and Ling Ying and instantly transferred all this info to his God himself, Gu Yuan.
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~Moments after Ling Ying confirmed Hong Chen's background.~
"Lord, Our Ancient Clan doesn't have an Inscriptions master. We obviously won't stoop as low as the Hall of Souls by imprisoning him, but I have seen his spiritual strength and can confirm that he will be able to become the best Inscription master this continent has ever seen."
"You speak too highly of him, Ling Ying" replied Gu Yuan telepeathically as he sipped something while looking over the world infront of him.
"He is only 15, Lord. I have carefully checked it and it I can certainly tell that he didn't use any technique or treasure to appear young. His story also checks out." responded Ling Ying with a nervous bow.
"Hmm…Such promising individual is indeed a great gift to our world. We can't let him fall to the hands of Hall of Souls. If Hun Tiandi gets him, then their is no telling.."
Gu Yuan instructed Ling Ying to help Hong Chen, and hence, a Rank 5 pill was just given away by him to Hong Chen.
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"Thanks Senior" Hong Chen immediately accepted the pill and without further ado, took it and started running the [Wind-Lightning Dual Mantra] in full force.
A Rank 5 pill like this can increase someone's souls force and was a very rare pill among the Rank 5 pill, and soon, Hong Chen felt it…His Mental Attribute finally surpassed the '500' bottleneck.
Suddenly, as if the Heavens were welcoming another child, the clouds split apart over the sky and the energy of heaven and earth started rushing inside of his body.
After quite a long while, Hong Chen opened his eyes and could clearly see the feathers of a bird, which was sitting on a tree, while the said tree was on the mountain far away from the cliff.
"Senior….That pill.." Asked Hong Chen in astonishment as he looked at Ling Ying who was telling Gu Xun Er what her father instructed.
Ling Ying when heard the surprise in Hong Chen's voice, smiled and said
"Don't worry about it."
"I…I don't know what to say. Thank you..Than- Oh! Yes, Your Tracking Charm. Now that my soul body is completely healed, Let me make you your tracking charm."
Ling Ying was about to deny him when suddenly Hong Chen summoned the jade block given to him by Ling Ying and his hands started glowing with a very beautiful purple arc-lighting.
Gu Xun Er had never seen something as beautiful as this lighting which was being used as a glove to very accurately refine the Jade block and carve inscription patterns with precise amount of Dou Qi.
Ling Ying's jaw dropped. Not because of the lightning, but because Hong Chen was using a lost art to make charms.
Nowadays, the Inscription masters use specialized tools to carve inscriptions, scrolls, etc. but in ancient time, Alchemist didn't require Cauldrons, Inscription Masters didn't require precision instruments and Blacksmiths didn't require a forge.
The art of making Inscriptions without any tool was a myth written in old legends and Ling Ying didn't believe his eyes.
He quickly transmitted everything which was happening infront of him to Gu Yuan, who was even more shocked by Hong Chen, if the glass from which he was previously drinking with was spilled on the floor was any clue.
"Ling Ying! Treat him with the utmost respect! I must meet him!" Said Gu Yuan hoarsely.
Looking at the Hong Chen, whose face was glowing with purple light, as arc-lighting was flying around him while he precisely refined the Jade Block into a Tracking Charm, Gu Xun Er was fascinated.
"This might be the most beautiful thing I will see in my life…" she breathed as she saw the expert display of Hong Chen.
Hong Chen didn't need to be so flashy, but seeing that Ling Ying has took his bait, and Gu Xun Er's attention was completely on him, he decided to give them a show.
After a few minutes, a beautiful Jade tile was produced, after which Hong Chen got up, and handed it over to Ling Ying.
"Here it is, Senior."
Ling Ying took the tracking charm and found that it was one of the best charms he had seen, which he put away in his Spatial Ring and said
"I think you should stay here for a little while, Young Master Chen, It will not be wise to go out when Hall of Souls is after you. Let me make you a house real quick."
Before Hong Chen could respond, Ling Ying had already started working on making a cave house then and there.
"Brother Chen, What was that purple lighting?" Asked Gu Xun Er as she came closer to Hong Chen.
"Well, Do you know about the Heavenly Flames which alchemists use?" Asked Hong Chen as he started walking with her towards Lin Ying who was using the power of heaven and earth to make a very nice cave house for Hong Chen on the precipice.
"Yes.." She trailed as she remembered the pain a heavenly fire was causing her.
"Is something that matter, Sister…?" asked Hong Chen as he pretended to notice something from her answer.
"Xun Er…My Name is Xun Er. and that is Uncle Ling Ying; and no, nothing." She smiled as she dismissed his worries.
"Well, Sister Xun Er, as I was saying, Like Alchemists use Heavenly Flame, Inscription masters also use treasures of heaven and earth like my purple lightning to refine any article into anything we want.
I learned this technique in my dreams, believe it or not. One day I was sleeping, which I very rarely do as I always prefer to just cultivate in night and work at day, but that day I was very exhausted and decided to sleep.
In my sleep, I suddenly saw a very vague figure using this lighting to make inscriptions, and ever since that day, I have been able to do it myself."
Ling Ying was listening very carefully to every word which was being said by Hong Chen. He noticed that Hong Chen was very naive to tell these secrets to them
'Maybe that's why he was caught in the clutches of Hall of Souls so soon. He hasn't seen the vicious outside world and trusts very soon' thought Ling Ying with pity.
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