Chapter 191: 200 The Storm is Coming
Demon-Suppression Cavern.
On the altar surrounded by eight Demon-Locking Pillars, Bai Susu's smile faded, her eyes shining like stars but filled with icy coldness.
The next moment, a flash of light appeared in front of the altar, and a plain-clothed elder suddenly materialized.
He looked extremely old, with all white hair and beard, a thin stature, parched features, as if a gust of wind could knock him over.
But the elder's eyes were bright and spirited, filled with the wisdom of years, yet possessing the innocence of a child.
He exhibited a special temperament that was vastly different from ordinary people!
The plain-clothed elder held a withered vine cane in his hand, looking around silently before frowning slightly.
Then, with due respect, he bowed to Bai Susu on the altar, "I've seen my senior."
Bai Susu lightly lifted her delicate hand, brushing away the hair that fell over her forehead, and asked indifferently, "What brings you here?"
The plain-clothed elder gave a slight smile, "Just now, I detected that the Eight-Lock Demon-Trapping Array seemed to have been triggered, so I came down to check. I apologize for disturbing you, senior."
Bai Susu said lazily, "Then take a look."
The plain-clothed elder shook his head, "No need."
He had already searched and found no abnormalities.
After a moment of hesitation, the plain-clothed elder asked, "Senior, how have you been recently?"
Bai Susu couldn't help but laugh, "You don't need to probe me. Since I've agreed to cooperate with you, I won't go back on my word. Do you think I don't want to leave this wretched place?"
The plain-clothed elder replied apologetically, "I was overthinking it!"
"I've always been curious..."
Bai Susu turned her face, a strange light flashing in her eyes, "You were born with a Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart, and you're about to grow your fourth tail. The world is vast for you to roam at will, so why tie yourself to the small boat of the Cloud Sun Sect?"
The plain-clothed elder was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Cloud Sun has sheltered me for five hundred years; I ought to repay that kindness with my life."
Bai Susu chuckled, "How very loyal and righteous of you. So when do you plan to make your move?"
"Soon."
The plain-clothed elder bowed and replied, "I ask that the senior please wait a little longer with patience."
"Hmm."
Bai Susu curled the corners of her lips, "I've waited for over eight hundred years, I can certainly wait a while longer."
The plain-clothed elder breathed a sigh of relief, took a step back, "Then I shall take my leave."
With a flash, he vanished on the spot without a trace.
"Cunning little fox!"
Bai Susu sneered, her gaze falling on the Golden Cudgel embedded in the snake tail, "Old Mysterious Origin, your prison guard now seeks to revolt. You claim to calculate everything in the world without omission. Surely, you didn't miss this?"
The Golden Cudgel suddenly emitted a blinding light, shaking violently from side to side.
The snake tail that was nailed to the altar, where it connected to the staff, immediately began to ooze crimson blood.
Bai Susu's smile twisted instantly, veins popping out on her forehead as pale as jade.
Clearly, she was enduring tremendous pain.
However, she did not yield to the suffering, but burst into loud laughter, "Old Mysterious Origin, you deceive the world and nothing more!"
In her laughter, there was endless bitterness and resentment!
At this very moment, Wang Chen had already returned to his home.
When he left, he was accompanied by Yuanyuan.
Now he returned alone.
The sense of loss and sadness in his heart lingered for a long time.
Without realizing it, the little one had occupied a very important place in his life.
How could he remain indifferent after such a sudden separation!
But Wang Chen, having been a man for two lifetimes, was resolute. He didn't indulge in his emotions, but instead sealed his longing for Yuanyuan in the deepest part of his heart.
Powerless to change reality, life must go on; learning to accept is the only way to persist!
When reason replaced emotion and regained the heights of his thoughts,
Wang Chen remembered Bai Susu's warning to him – a major upheaval was imminent within the Cloud Sun Sect!
With the identity and strength of such a Great Monster, he did not believe that she was trying to intimidate him without cause.
And there was no need to deceive him!
The question arises, what incident might befall the Cloud Sun Sect?
And how should I deal with it?
Wang Chen once again felt his own weakness.
Even though Wang Chen didn't feel a strong sense of belonging to the Cloud Sun Sect, it had provided him a place to live and a stable environment for cultivation.
Especially after joining the Inner Sect, life had been much more comfortable than before.
How much time has passed?
And now there's trouble again?
After much thought, Wang Chen decided to go to Peach Blossom Valley to consult with his master, Chang Chun, about the situation.
However, to his surprise, after three visits and spending the better part of a day in Peach Blossom Valley,
Wang Chen still did not encounter Chang Chun.
Holding the Peach Wood Token in his hand, as long as he passed through the Peach Blossom Array, Chang Chun would be notified of his arrival.
Although Chang Chun sometimes appeared late in the past,
never before had Wang Chen made three trips without seeing a trace of his master!
Therefore, Wang Chen went to Sunset Peak and visited Elder Chang Chun's Cave Mansion in his capacity as an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.
He was informed by the gatekeeping disciple that Elder Chang had entered seclusion.
As for when he would emerge, that was unknown.
Although Chang Chun's seclusion had no substantial impact on Wang Chen,
everything inside and outside the Cloud Sun Sect was calm and peaceful, without any sign of trouble.
Yet the sense of disquiet in his heart never dissipated.
There was always this feeling of an impending storm!
Such a feeling
reached its peak a few days later, when Wang Chen took Mu Kui in for maintenance.
In recent times, he had devoted most of his time to cultivation, especially in practicing the Thunderbolt Sword Technique.
As a result, the cultivation of the fifty mu of Spirit Fields was largely left to Mu Kui.
Frequent use of the Puppet Mechanism meant it required regular maintenance to avoid wear and failure.
Completely clueless in this area, Wang Chen naturally left this task to professionals.
So he sought out Pang Zitong's assistance.
Mu Kui was also created by Pang Zitong.
This fellow sect brother was good-natured; he didn't make much profit from Wang Chen initially and even promised to help maintain it for free.
Wang Chen wouldn't let him do the work for nothing.
After contacting him through a Crane Message, the two met up at the Pang Family workshop in Cloud Dragon City.
"The family recently took on a big trade."
Upon meeting, Pang Zitong began to complain to Wang Chen, "The workshop is short-staffed, and I've been pulled in to help. I haven't closed my eyes for three days and nights!"
Wang Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say.
"Are you here for the puppet maintenance?"
Despite the complaints, Pang Zitong was still eager to help Wang Chen, "Leave it to me, I'll get it done as soon as possible!"
"Thank you, Brother,"
Wang Chen thought for a moment and handed over Mu Kui, "I appreciate your help."
Pang Zitong laughed, "It's a small matter, no need for thanks."
He added, "Everything in the city is getting more expensive. The prices of Spirit Rice, Pills, Talismans, and Magic Artifacts have gone up by ten to twenty percent. If you have any supplies, don't be in a hurry to sell them; I expect they'll rise even more."
"If you need anything, you should prepare early."
Wang Chen replied solemnly, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother."
He indeed needed to prepare!
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Here's the first chapter.