Yuantian Pidao

Chapter 284 Mountain Fire

Nanjing Kingdom, the capital, Huoyuan City.

Inside the pavilion, the Third Prince Chen Jinglang was playing chess with a Taoist priest. The priest was tall and imposing, with a square face and wearing a crimson robe. Even just sitting there, he exuded an aura of authority, and even the Third Prince showed great respect in his presence.

He is none other than Chen Gangfeng, the Fire Demon Taoist, and also Chen Jinglang's seventh uncle.

"Seventh Uncle, I heard you gained quite a lot from your trip to the secret realm?"

After placing a piece, Chen Jinglang turned his gaze to the Fire Demon Daoist and couldn't help but speak.

Secret realms are extraordinary places in the world, often self-contained, rich in spiritual energy, and nurturing many treasures rarely seen in the outside world. The reason why the royal Chen family has been able to stand firm is because they have mastered a secret realm.

Upon hearing this, the Fire Demon Daoist frowned slightly.

"There were some gains, but some unexpected events also occurred. Outsiders found a new entrance to the secret realm and sneaked in, which caused quite a bit of trouble."

Recalling this trip to the secret realm, a hint of gloom appeared on the Fire Demon Daoist's upright face.

The secret realm is so strange that even with the Chen family's strength, they cannot fully control it. Generally speaking, there is only one entrance to a secret realm, but this is not absolute. Some secret realms may have multiple entrances, and some may even randomly open entrance locations.

This time, however, a new entrance appeared in the secret realm controlled by the Chen family. It was precisely because of this that the Chen family's experts spent so much time in the secret realm, killing all the intruders and leaving no survivors.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jinglang was also taken aback.

"Seventh Uncle, were any rare treasures born in this secret realm?"

His expression changed slightly; at this moment, a rare hint of urgency appeared on Chen Jinglang's handsome face.

Despite the unfavorable overall environment, the possibility of spiritual treasures being born within the secret realm is higher compared to the outside world. The secret realm has played a crucial role in the Chen family's ability to maintain multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators over the years.

Hearing this, knowing what Chen Jinglang wanted, the Fire Demon Daoist shook his head, meeting Chen Jinglang's gaze.

"No, in fact, based on our observations over the years, the mystique of our secret realm is gradually diminishing, and it probably won't last much longer. It will be difficult to produce spiritual treasures in the future."

In a low voice, the Fire Demon Taoist revealed some inside information.

Upon receiving this answer, Chen Jinglang managed to maintain a calm demeanor, but his hands clenched tightly.

The secret realm controlled by the Chen family is the Mountain Fire Secret Realm, where an ancient volcano lies dormant and produces a variety of fire-attribute spiritual items. If something goes wrong, it will truly shake the foundation of the Chen family.

Most importantly, the Chen family's original inheritance came from this secret realm. The inheritance they cultivated was extremely compatible with the spiritual treasure, Mountain Fire, nurtured in the Mountain Fire Secret Realm. With his foundation, if he used other spiritual treasures to forge his Dao foundation, even if it was relatively compatible, it would at most be a low-grade Dao foundation.

However, if he obtains the Mountain Fire, there is a chance that he will achieve a mid-grade Dao Foundation. Although it is only a possibility, it is already very good. After all, once he has forged a mid-grade Dao Foundation, he may be able to advance further instead of staying in the Dao Foundation Realm for the rest of his life.

Seeing Chen Jinglang like this, and understanding his thoughts, the Fire Demon Daoist couldn't help but shake his head.

“Spiritual treasures are rare. If the Mountain Fire Secret Realm really collapses, the spiritual energy will boil over, and it may be possible to condense a mountain fire. But there is no certainty about this.”

"In comparison, the spiritual treasure that will replace the Calamity Flower will mature soon. If you want to make a move to obtain it, you will have a better chance." "Although this spiritual treasure is of the water element and does not match your cultivation method, it can still be used with the Transformation Technique. In addition, your family also needs this Dao Foundation."

As if making a point, the Fire Demon Taoist revealed his opinion.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jinglang silently lowered his head.

He knew that what the Fire Demon Daoist said made sense: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. However, he was still unwilling to accept it, because once he chose the path the Fire Demon Daoist had suggested, he was destined to condense a low-grade Dao foundation without any surprises.

Compared to his uncles, he was fortunate to have caught a good time. The environment is constantly improving, and if one has a strong foundation, it is entirely possible to advance further. Unlike before, when the external environment did not allow it, let alone a mid-grade foundation, even if one had established a high-grade foundation, there was no chance to open up the Purple Mansion.

"Seventh Uncle, the South is in great chaos right now. The Qingmu family has been completely suppressed by Blackwater Dock. Shouldn't we do something?"

After a moment of silence, Chen Jinglang changed the subject.

Seeing Chen Jinglang like this, knowing that Chen Jinglang was still unwilling, the Fire Demon Daoist did not dwell on the previous topic, but he was still somewhat unhappy. However, thinking of the fate of the Qingmu family, he couldn't help but reveal a cold smile on his face.

Back in Qingyuan County, Old Ghost Qingmu ruined his plans.

"There's no need to rush for now. Let's send someone to the south to investigate thoroughly. Although I don't like Old Ghost Qingmu, I'm quite familiar with his strength. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have been forced into this situation by Blackwater Dock. There are probably other people's schemes involved."

"Entering the game rashly may not bring any benefits. The Chen family's deterrent power is not what it used to be."

After a moment's thought, the Fire Demon Taoist made a decision.

Although he has a fiery temper, he is not stupid. The situation in the south is really strange, and there is probably something wrong with it.

Hearing this, Chen Jinglang nodded.

He had previously valued the South and wanted to establish a presence there, largely because the South was relatively weak and the easiest place for him to make his move. Everything was going well, and if things had developed normally, he could have truly suppressed the Aoki family with a little more effort.

However, the situation in the four southern counties has changed repeatedly in recent years, instantly shattering his original plans.

"I understand what Seventh Uncle means. It just so happens that the positions of prefects in Qingyuan County and Changfeng County are vacant. I will try my best to have my subordinates fill the positions."

After a moment's thought, Chen Jinglang came up with his own plan.

Upon hearing this, the Fire Demon Daoist nodded.

Just as Chen Jinglang turned his attention to the south, more and more people began to pay attention to the situation in the south because of the Aoki family.

Although the Qingmu family ranks last among the four great families of Nan Jing Kingdom, it is still an old and established Dao Foundation family with its own foundation. Many people simply do not believe that Blackwater Dock could force the Qingmu family to this point.

Some were curious, while others were eager to try, since if the Aoki family really fell, the four southern prefectures would be vacant.

The Southern Kingdom will certainly not tolerate the fact that the four prefectures are truly controlled by demons, and they will inevitably profit from it.

(End of this chapter)