Yang Chen's Secret

Wutan City, the Xiao Family's rear mountain.

Atop the treetops, a tall figure in silver and white robes silently watched the three figures depart, his gaze gradually turning dangerous.

Turning over a cloud-white jade pendant that had appeared in his hand at some unknown time, a hint of complexity surfaced in Yang Chen's deep eyes.

Beneath Yang Chen's feet, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King lay quietly on the ground. Its beastly eyes occasionally lifted to glance at him, and whenever it saw the jade pendant in Yang Chen's hand, a trace of puzzlement flashed through its eyes.

The jade pendant was not particularly large. Though it somewhat resembled a token, it was only the size of a waist ornament, small and exquisite. Countless cloud patterns had been meticulously carved into its cloud-white surface, while at its very center was an ancient-style character for cloud.

The jade pendant's greatest feature lay in a single word—cloud. A cloud that drifted freely beyond the mundane world, and also the cloud of the Yunlan Sect.

"Yunlan Sect!"

Yang Chen murmured softly. The direction in which those three members of the Soul Hall had departed was precisely where the Yunlan Sect was located. If nothing unexpected happened, they should have gone to find Yun Shan. After all, dirty work such as relying on one's nose was generally done by the dogs beneath them.

Looking toward the Yunlan Sect, Yang Chen's hand, which had been toying with the jade pendant, unconsciously stilled. His palm tightened slightly, turning his fingers pale.

Yang Chen's feelings toward the Yunlan Sect were complicated. He shared a blood feud with the Yunlan Sect—no, more precisely, with Yun Shan—but he absolutely did not wish for the Yunlan Sect to perish at his hands.

However, after the Soul Hall approached Yun Shan this time, Yun Shan likely would not reveal himself so soon. The most likely outcome was that he would order Yun Yun and Yun Leng to handle it. Thus, what came next depended on Yun Yun's choice.

"Senior Sister, I hope you won't disappoint me. I cannot become the sinner who destroys the Yunlan Sect. You... cannot either!"

Yang Chen's voice carried a faint tremor. His fingers slid over the jade pendant from gripping it too hard, rubbing against that intricate character for cloud and making his heart grow restless.

This jade pendant was indeed connected to the Yunlan Sect. Not only was it connected, it could even be considered one of the Yunlan Sect's symbols.

For this jade pendant was the identity token of the Yunlan Sect's sect master. Like an imperial jade seal, it was the most legitimate proof of the Yunlan Sect master's identity, without equal. This was because it contained the Yunlan Sect's most core inheritance, an inheritance that only successive Yunlan Sect masters could cultivate.

The Yunlan Sect had been founded by Patriarch Yun Potian in the past. Yun Potian had once been a supreme expert renowned throughout the Fighting Qi Continent. How could the sect's inheritance consist of only a low-grade Earth-class Wind's Extremity: Fallen Kill?

And the Yunlan Sect's Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Formation—was it truly so easy to break? If it possessed no remarkable qualities, how could it have served as the sect-protecting grand formation and sheltered the Yunlan Sect for so many years?

There had always been only two ways to break a formation. The first was to overpower it with brute force, using absolute strength to destroy it outright. The second was to employ clever force, directly dismantling the formation and rendering it ineffective.

With Yang Chen's methods, he naturally could have used the first approach to forcibly break the Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Formation presided over by Yun Leng, but it would have cost him a price and caused far too much commotion.

Therefore, when Yang Chen had broken the formation before, he had naturally used the second method. Through his understanding and control of the Cloud Smoke Sun-Covering Formation, he had used the power of the Heavenly Eye to forcibly dismantle each of the formation's nodes, directly rendering it ineffective.

Standing atop the treetops, Yang Chen hesitated for a while before finally sighing. After another moment of reluctance, he still hung the jade pendant at his waist and softly said to the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

"Return to the Magic Beast Mountain Range first. Do not make any moves for the time being, and do not let the Yunlan Sect notice anything suspicious."

"Yes, Master!"

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King suppressed the shock in its heart, lowered its head in acknowledgment, then turned and vanished into the mountain forest.

After the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King left, Yang Chen remained motionless. Only after nearly half an incense stick's time had passed did a faint smile appear on his face as he softly said,

"Friend, since you are here, there is no need to keep hiding."

"Hehe, I am quite curious. With such talent as yours, what sort of background do you truly possess?"

Ling Ying's figure quietly emerged from a patch of shadow. He then openly stepped out and stood atop a nearby treetop, turning to look at Yang Chen.

Ling Ying had always been extremely curious about Yang Chen's origins. With Yang Chen's aptitude and talent, even among their Ancient Eight Clans, he would be among the very best.

At merely twenty years of age, without any resources to nurture him or anyone to assist him, the Dou King realm was still only the most insignificant aspect of him.

Whether it was his terrifying physical body, astonishing soul power, or astounding alchemy skills, all were heights that many people could never reach in their entire lives.

How could one person possess so much energy and excel in every aspect to such an extent? Most importantly, he had never received any resources to cultivate him!

Moreover, it had only been a short time since they last met, yet this fellow's strength had risen by several stars again. He was simply a monster.

"I believe I once said this before. Yang Chen, second son of the Yang Clan in the Imperial Capital. Speaking of which, I am rather interested in your origins."

Yang Chen held his folding fan and gently waved it, a faint smile hanging at the corner of his lips. He completely ignored Ling Ying's suspicious gaze and questioned him in return.

"A peak Dou Emperor guard, the Heavenly Flame within her body, and the three Dou Zong experts who appeared today. Your origins... hehe..."

Faced with Yang Chen's meaningful gaze, Ling Ying did not know why, but he felt as though the other man had seen straight through him, as if their origins had been known to him from the very beginning.

Yet whether Yang Chen knew or not, Ling Ying could not reveal anything. This was an order personally given by the clan chief. If anything went wrong, even the young lady would not be able to protect him.

"You are mistaken on one point. Those three people who came today were not here for my young lady. They were more likely here for the Xiao Family."

As Ling Ying spoke of this matter, a trace of worry appeared on his face as well. The Xiao Family's secret was very likely about to be discovered by the Soul Clan. When that happened, things would become troublesome.

Yang Chen neither confirmed nor denied it. He merely smiled and did not continue the topic. There were some matters that both men understood well enough; it was best to leave them unspoken.

"Young Master Xiao Yan has arrived. Then I shall not disturb True Lord and his nephew's reunion. Farewell."

Ling Ying smiled and cupped his hands in salute, deliberately mentioning Yang Chen's title. Yang Chen's lips curved slightly as he returned the gesture with a smile.

"Brother Ling Ying, three years from now, let us drink together if you have the time. Perhaps then, the questions you are curious about will have answers."