Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

Gu Yuan stared blankly at the chessboard for a long time before slumping down and saying with a bitter smile, "I didn't lose unjustly... I was too arrogant."

"Young friend Su, there are still a few days until my daughter Xun'er's coming-of-age ceremony. Please stay in the ancient clan for the next few days and do not refuse."

"Since Uncle insists that I stay, then I will take my leave." Su Baichen changed his address accordingly, his attitude remaining calm.

"Haha, what a fine uncle! Young friend Su is indeed a remarkable person!"

Gu Yuan had mixed feelings, a mixture of the weight of learning about the enemy's conspiracy and a mixture of apprehension and admiration for the unfathomable young man before him.

squeak-

The door opened, letting in the light from outside. Standing in the doorway were two beautiful figures, Gu Xun'er and Xiao Yu.

Seeing her father and Su Baichen walk out side by side, Gu Xun'er's clear and cold eyes instantly sparkled with a brilliant light.

Like a joyful little butterfly, she completely ignored her stern father and pounced straight towards him with open arms.

Gu Yuan subconsciously opened his arms, thinking that his daughter was going to greet him, and a fatherly smile appeared on his face.

However, his smile froze the next second.

Gu Xun'er brushed past his clothes and buried her head in Su Baichen's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around the boy's waist, refusing to let go.

"Brother Baichen! You've finally come to see Xun'er!"

"Do you know that Xun'er counts down the days every day?!"

"Have you forgotten about Xun'er?!"

Gu Xun'er's voice was soft and sweet, but tinged with grievance as she nuzzled her head against Su Baichen's chest.

Su Baichen's body stiffened. He could clearly feel two gazes coming from behind him—one was Xiao Yu's teasing, and the other... was a murderous aura that turned from warm to cold, as if it could freeze the air.

Click—!

Su Baichen seemed to hear the sound of a string called "reason" snapping.

He was certain that at this moment, the face of the Gu Yuan clan chief was definitely darker than the bottom of a pot.

"Xun'er! What kind of behavior is this! Get down here right now!"

Gu Yuan's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Okay, Daddy~"

Gu Xun'er stuck out her tongue before reluctantly letting go.

But in the instant she turned around, she grabbed Su Baichen with one hand and Xiao Yu beside her with the other, and ran away laughing.

"Brother Bai Chen, Cousin Xiao Yu, this is your first time visiting the Ancient Clan. Let me show you around. Our Ancient Clan is so beautiful!"

Watching the three young people walk away, Gu Yuan stood there, his once imposing aura as the clan leader who once dominated the Central Plains completely gone, replaced by a deep sense of powerlessness.

He rubbed his temples and said in a deep voice to the shadows, "Someone come here!"

"Your subordinate is here!" A dark figure appeared instantly.

"Pass on my order: mobilize all spies, at all costs, to investigate the underground structures of all Soul Hall branch halls across the continent!"

"Remember, you must remain secretive and absolutely must not alert the enemy!"

"Yes, Chieftain!"

Gu Yuan watched his daughter's cheerful figure disappear into the distance and sighed deeply.

It seems that this game of chess on the mainland is truly about to change from today onwards, becoming fraught with danger.

Chapter 328 An unexpected encounter with Mang Tianchi!

Several days later.

Su Baichen ran into an old acquaintance at the teahouse!

Inside the teahouse, Su Baichen was drinking tea.

Suddenly, a laugh rang out from afar, carrying a hint of familiarity and nonchalance: "Haha, you rascal, long time no see!"

Su Baichen turned around and saw an old man in gray slowly walking over. It was none other than the lively old dean of Canaan Academy, Mang Tianchi.

Su Baichen's languid expression vanished instantly, a playful smile curving his lips as he fixed his gaze on Mang Tianchi.

"Hey, isn't this our Canaan Academy's hands-off manager?"

"What, you old man, you actually have time to come and join in the fun at this ancient clan?"

Su Baichen crossed his arms, speaking in a relaxed tone as if he were greeting a neighbor.

Mang Tianchi froze, instantly enraged. He lunged forward, his large, fan-like hand grabbing Su Baichen's shoulder without any hesitation, and chuckled, "Damn it, brat, you think you're all grown up now?"

"What old man? Call me senior! Do you believe I'll throw you out?"

"Hehe, don't be in such a hurry." Su Baichen let him hug her, but her face was full of smug confidence.

"I am now a genuine Dou Sheng powerhouse. In terms of realm, shouldn't you call me... Dou Sheng?"

As he spoke, a powerful yet unassuming Dou Sheng aura quietly emanated from Su Baichen's body.

Although it was only a fleeting moment, it made Mang Tianchi's arm around him feel slightly heavy.

"Holy shit!"

Mang Tianchi's eyes widened as he looked Su Baichen up and down as if he had seen a ghost.

"It's actually true! You really did cultivate to the level of a Dou Sheng!"

"It's only been a few years! Even if you were thrown into some imperial clan's sacred cultivation grounds, you wouldn't grow this fast!"

Mang Tianchi had naturally heard rumors about Su Baichen, but he always regarded them as rumors.

After all, such a cultivation speed is so fast that it would be difficult to find another one even if we went back a thousand or two thousand years.

Even the most gifted geniuses of the ancient and soul clans, born with a silver spoon in their mouths, would pale in comparison to such a monstrous talent.

"Tch, of course."

Su Baichen raised his chin smugly, but his eyes glanced at Mang Tianchi with a hint of mockery.

"Unlike a certain senior, who has been stuck at the peak of the semi-saint realm for so many years and is still hovering at the door, making little progress, it really makes people anxious for you!"

"You! You little rascal!"

Mang Tianchi was so angry that he glared at Su Baichen, pointing at him without being able to say a word for a long time.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Su Baichen suddenly seemed to remember something, his expression changed, and he began to frantically rummage through his storage ring with a look of surprise, muttering to himself, "Oh my god, I just happened to have an eighth-grade, eight-colored pill that could increase the probability of breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm, which I was planning to give away, but I can't find it now."

"what?!"

Mang Tianchi, who was originally furious, suddenly perked up his ears. His anger vanished instantly, replaced by a look of ecstatic joy.

"An eighth-grade, eight-colored pill? The kind that can increase the chances of advancing to the Dou Sheng level?"

"Yes, what a pity..."

Su Baichen sighed with feigned regret and patted his empty pockets.

"It's gone. It probably ran away because it thought its owner was too stupid."

"Forget it, it's not meant to be. If we don't want it, we don't want it."

"Find him! Search him to death!" Mang Tianchi grabbed Su Baichen's arm, his usually arrogant face now plastered with a fawning smile.

"Brother Su, my dear brother! Please look again for me, I'm sure I can find it!"

"Look how lucky you are! Your lost treasure can grow legs and run back by itself!"

"Ugh, looking for things is tiring, let's go, let's go." Su Baichen shook off his hand and lazily stretched.

"I heard that the ancient clan is having a bloodline awakening ceremony today, and all sorts of demons and monsters have come. It would be a shame not to go and see it."

"As for the pills... what can I do if it doesn't want to be eaten?"

After saying that, he slowly strolled towards the Awakening Plaza in the distance.

"Hey! No! Ancestor! Keep looking!"

Mang Tianchi was not about to let go, so he hurriedly chased after him, shouting as he went.

"We'll definitely find it! It might be hidden in some corner!"

……

The Awakening Square was bustling with activity and a vibrant scene.

Su Baichen stood on the high platform at the edge of the square, his gaze sweeping across the entire area, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.

In the center of the plaza, dazzling beams of strange fire shot into the sky, a testament to the power of ancient races.

The eerie atmosphere of the Soul Clan, the vastness of the Ancient Clan, the domineering power of the Thunder Clan, the rich fragrance of the Medicine Clan, the fiery heat of the Flame Clan, and the Stone Clan, the Spirit Clan... all the ancient imperial clans gathered together at this moment.

A tense atmosphere filled the air.

"Wow, what a grand display."

Su Baichen withdrew his gaze, turned his head, and said to Mang Tianchi beside him in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Hey, Brother Chi, stop pretending. I know that you came here this time for more than just to see the bloodline awakening ceremony of the ancient clan, right?"

Having just received an eighth-grade pill "gifted" by Su Baichen, Mang Tianchi was in such a good mood that he could fly. Naturally, there was no need to hide it. He chuckled and whispered, "As expected, I couldn't hide it from you."

"That's right, our target is the soon-to-be-opened Heavenly Tomb."

He paused, then looked intently at Su Baichen: "Moreover, I guess your target is also the Heavenly Tomb, right?"

"Smart." Su Baichen didn't deny it and nodded.

“I brought along a descendant of the Xiao clan. She’s fairly talented, and I want her to go in and gain some experience.”

“A descendant of the Xiao clan?” Mang Tianchi raised an eyebrow, then suddenly realized.

"No wonder... I sensed a newly born Dou Zun aura yesterday, so it was you who caused it. You have the leisure to help someone break through to Dou Zun?"

"It's just a matter of time."

Su Baichen said calmly, but a subtle, profound look flashed in his eyes.

"I just hope that she can seize her own destiny in the Heavenly Tomb."

“However…” Mang Tianchi seemed to have thought of something, and his expression became serious.