Chapter 66 The Noble Circle of Ancheng

Could Old Chen not feel nauseous? After all these years, how had he managed? He had been continuously "baptized" by a deluge of sword light, with swords flashing in his eyes whether open or closed, struck for countless years!

In the short term, don't even think about letting him practice swordsmanship; just seeing one would unsettle him. The psychological trauma was immeasurable, so for now… he had to quit swords!

Wang Xuan took his pulse, but as soon as he placed his hand on Old Chen, he was forcefully flung back, the impact so strong that a normal person might have been injured.

"Old Chen, when you said you were almost fine, did you mean you're on the verge of a breakthrough?" Wang Xuan asked.

"Not quite. Still a bit lacking," Old Chen shook his head.

Qingmu was shocked, feeling it hard to believe. Just a short while ago, his master was on the brink of death, yet now he was talking about a breakthrough?!

After examining Old Chen closely, Wang Xuan confirmed that his injuries hadn't fully healed. The cracks in his organs had closed somewhat, but they weren't completely mended. However, he was no longer in danger of death.

Wang Xuan was somewhat surprised. "Old Chen, what have you been doing all these years? Only thinking about breakthroughs while neglecting your injuries?"

Old Chen's eyes were deep, bearing the weight of many hardships. "What do you think I've been doing? Enduring sword strikes, getting struck by heavenly thunder, explaining geography to the sword immortal, and teaching her history. I've been recounting five thousand years of history! Most importantly, I feel… like I've been taking the blame for you!"

Qingmu felt a chill run down his spine. Who exactly had borne all this hardship for his master?

Wang Xuan patted his shoulder. "Your injuries are healing a bit slowly."

"Not slowly! You don't really think I stayed in the inner realm for many years, do you?" Old Chen said weakly.

Wang Xuan was taken aback. Wasn't it so?

Old Chen seemed to grasp the truth of the matter and explained, "Many people can't understand, so they can only believe that. Of course, some are convinced that while time flows smoothly in the outside world, it can stretch into years in the inner realm. Personally, I tend to lean towards another explanation."

He pointed to his own body. "Let's not forget, we live in the real world. In reality, whose body could be so damaged and recover in just a few minutes? It's impossible."

What Old Chen said made a lot of sense. According to his reasoning, even with miraculous elixirs, it would be difficult to heal instantly.

Wang Xuan was intrigued and wanted to know more about Old Chen's understanding of the inner realm.

"Not now. We'll talk about this later," Old Chen said, staggering to his feet. He wanted to take a shower, feeling drenched in sweat.

His body had healed significantly in a short time, with his metabolic rate astonishingly high. Now that he stopped, he felt sticky all over.

Wang Xuan stopped him. "No, you need to lie back down. Just let Qingmu wipe you down. A lot of people will come to see you soon, united in purpose to offer you their life force."

Old Chen was confused. What was going on? He had an ominous premonition!

Just then, Wang Xuan's skin seemed to shed slightly, leaving Qingmu staring in disbelief—not from fear, but envy. How could this happen?

He naturally knew Wang Xuan was practicing the golden body technique. Had he improved again? Was he shedding skin now?

"Wow, have you reached the sixth layer?" Old Chen remarked. At this age, reaching the sixth layer of the golden body technique was quite astonishing.

"Still a bit lacking," Wang Xuan replied, then added, "Mostly because that sword immortal is too petty, constantly striking me with her sword light, making it hard to focus."

Don't you feel guilty?! Old Chen thought of hitting him. Who had been struck for longer? Talking about it was just tears.

Qingmu was utterly confused, feeling as if these two were speaking in code!

Suddenly, Wang Xuan sensed something was off. It felt like there was a cold sword edge aimed at him, as if the sword immortal was drawing near again!

He felt a shiver down his spine. Could the sword immortal truly interfere with the real world?

Wang Xuan immediately grew serious. "Old Chen, listen. The immortal is benevolent and magnanimous; that's why she hasn't harmed you. We both need to be grateful, especially you. It was she who allowed you to heal in the inner realm and saved your life."

Seeing Wang Xuan's serious demeanor, Old Chen knew something was wrong. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse that sent a chill through him.

The bone of the sword immortal, darkened yet shimmering with golden light, seemed to pulse slightly, as if it had trembled.

Wang Xuan felt a cold sweat break out. Could this immortal truly influence the real world?!

He quickly spoke, "Old Qing, don't return this bone to the authorities. Let's keep it for now, but don't let outsiders see it."

Wang Xuan and Old Chen shared a tacit understanding and decided not to mention the matter again. They both realized that the true bone of an ascended being was different—mysterious and unfathomable.

At the same time, they speculated that the remnants of the sword immortal's true bone seemed very important to her!

"Old Chen, your injuries aren't healed yet. Should we continue?" Wang Xuan asked.

In the room were a piece of raw jade and a pure white bone, both containing rich mysterious essences that could theoretically open the inner realm.

Old Chen sighed, "Let's take it slow. Everything I see looks like a sword. Even when Qingmu approaches, I feel as if a sword beam as thick as a barrel is about to strike me."

Qingmu opened his mouth. Was he really that thick?!

Wang Xuan glanced at the piece of shining white bone. It was another remnant of an ascended being's true bone, and he felt a bit uneasy. He decided to stop for tonight; he needed to take it easy.

Old Chen looked at the white bone, his expression shifting. He was already somewhat traumatized.

Wang Xuan said, "Old Chen, you're unlikely to recover anytime soon. You'll need to lie down for a few months, or at least a year and a half."

Qingmu nodded, agreeing that Wang Xuan's suggestion was prudent. After all, the situation was too bizarre—a man who should be dead was about to come back to life. If Old Chen really walked out, it could lead to major trouble.

Old Chen understood the gravity of the situation, but as he watched his disciple and Wang Xuan discuss when he might die, when he might be half-dead, and when he might fully recover, he felt a sense of despair. Did they need to plan and arrange his life and death? He felt an urge to shout: Is there any justice left? This world is so dark!

"Old Chen, lie down; a lot of people will be coming to visit you soon," Wang Xuan reminded him as he prepared to sleep, feeling that it was best not to linger here.

"A lot of people? What's going on?" Old Chen asked.

Qingmu explained that after the battle at Congling, the grandmaster of the old arts was in critical condition, prompting many to come to Ancheng, including figures from the old arts field and financial tycoons.

Old Chen felt relieved to hear this, smiling and nodding. "My reputation is still intact!"

"Indeed," Wang Xuan nodded, sighing. "Now it can be said, Ancheng is a circle of nobility."

"What do you mean by that?" Old Chen was sharp and sensed it wasn't good.

"Just take it literally—flowers for funerals in Ancheng are particularly expensive these days," Wang Xuan replied calmly.

Just as Old Chen lay down, he bolted upright, eyebrows twitching, his expression darkening. He asked Qingmu what was happening.

Wang Xuan shot him a glance. "With so many people arriving, what do you think they're here for? They're naturally here to prepare for your memorial service."

Old Chen: "…"

His teeth clenched, nearly tearing the bed apart. This was outrageous! How shameful! He hadn't even died yet, and they were already planning a memorial service for him?!

Wang Xuan explained, "Mainly, after the expert consultations, they determined that human efforts have been exhausted. They believe you'll only need a couple of days lying down before you pass, so everyone has come, just waiting for your burial."

Old Chen stared wide-eyed, unable to speak. He lamented again how dark this world was! He wasn't even dead, and a whole crowd rushed to prepare for his memorial. Was there no justice?!

Wang Xuan sighed, "Old Chen, I have to say your reputation is indeed substantial. From the deputy of the old earth's relevant department to the representatives of major financial groups and organizations, and the elites from the old arts field, along with important local figures and various social individuals—one after another, from the new star to the old earth, they're all here to pay their respects. They've nearly bought out all the funeral flowers in Ancheng."

Old Chen glared at him and then at Qingmu. What kind of nonsense was this?

Qingmu felt awkward and somewhat guilty, having thought Old Chen was in dire straits and even considered preparing for his funeral.

Wang Xuan added, "However, there's a serious issue. Most of those who should be here are already present. Even those who haven't arrived will likely show up tomorrow. But everyone is waiting for you to pass on, and if you don't go soon, they won't know what to do—should they wait a few more days?"

"Shut up!" Old Chen couldn't take it anymore, fuming. "I'll have you wait until the end of time! What kind of people are these? How shameful!"

Wang Xuan ambled off to sleep, feeling joy from his improved golden body technique. He slept soundly and peacefully.

Qingmu began to dance again, receiving visitors.

Old Chen felt like rolling off the bed. Who thought of this terrible idea? One person after another lined up, not only coming to pay their respects but also touching him, as if participating in some absurd life-transmitting ritual!

He felt distressed, covered in goosebumps, yet he had to suppress his life force and pretend to be dead. As a result, he was nearly stripped of his body hair from all the touching—it was simply unbearable!

It wasn't until late at night that everything finally settled down. Qingmu was almost exhausted from dancing, and Old Chen felt like howling at the sky in frustration.

Early the next morning, Wang Xuan got up feeling refreshed. He went to find Qingmu and told him to inform Old Chen that they'd enter the inner realm that night.

"You mean we're having another round of life transmission tonight?!" Old Chen wanted to slap Qingmu.

"Wang said that to avoid suspicion, he couldn't meet you privately and could only rely on that kind of occasion," Qingmu said nervously, feeling guilty since he was also involved.

Old Chen was furious. "Why didn't he say so earlier? If I had known, even if I was struck down by sword light or devoured by monsters last night, I would have endured it and not waited until tonight for another round!"

…

That day, many important people indeed came to the countryside estate, all preparing for a "meeting" for Old Chen.

At night, Wang Xuan and Old Chen tacitly agreed not to choose the white bone; they were simply too worn out. Instead, they used the raw jade to open the inner realm.

"Old Chen, can you see the inner realm now? Can you enter?" Wang Xuan asked.

Old Chen's eyes were blank, feeling nothing at all. It was clear he still needed "Master Wang" to guide him.

Wang Xuan felt exhausted, almost spitting blood. It took all his strength to finally get Old Chen inside.

This time, both were prepared for battle, but the inner realm turned out to be extremely peaceful—there were no signs of conflict at all.

Indeed, there was a person—an elegant middle-aged man who smiled at them, raised a cup in greeting, and then… he flew away, vanishing from the inner realm, never to return.