Cao Ying's Shock: How Did He Do It?

After a while, Feng Qing'er returned to the guest hall where the Thunder Venerable was staying.

The Thunder Venerable sat in a chair, waiting anxiously. The moment Feng Qing'er pushed open the door, he sprang to his feet.

"How did it go? Did you see that boy? Did he say he'd lift the seal?"

His voice was full of urgency and hope, and he looked visibly agitated.

Feng Qing'er lowered her head and fell silent for a moment before answering. "Master, I saw him. I pleaded with him on your behalf, too..."

The Thunder Venerable's eyes lit up. "What did he say? Did he agree?"

Feng Qing'er bit her lip and shook her head. "He... he didn't even acknowledge me. He walked away as soon as I finished speaking. He didn't give me an answer."

The Thunder Venerable froze. The hope on his face gave way to disappointment.

He stood there stunned for a long while, then dropped back into his chair, his face deathly pale.

"He ignored me. He actually ignored me..."

He muttered to himself, fear plain in his voice. If Jiang Yuan had been willing to negotiate, there would still be something he could do. Being ignored was far worse. It meant Jiang Yuan didn't consider the matter worth his attention at all.

"Master, I don't know what else I can do..."

Seeing the Thunder Venerable so distraught, Feng Qing'er felt miserable too.

The Thunder Venerable was silent for a long time. Then he drew a deep breath, as though he had made up his mind.

"No. I can't just sit here and wait. I'll visit him myself and apologize face-to-face. Even if he won't lift the seal, I have to show him I'm sincere."

Feng Qing'er paused. "Master, you're going in person? But he's cultivating in seclusion right now. He said no one is to disturb him."

The Thunder Venerable waved a hand. "Then I'll wait until he comes out!"

"One way or another, I'm apologizing to him in person."

By then, Jiang Yuan had returned to his room and sat down on a cushion.

He had thought it over on the way back. He had already learned what he needed to know about the Space Exchange, and he had nothing else to attend to. He might as well use the opportunity to cultivate in seclusion. Perhaps his Heaven-Defying Comprehension would help him grasp some new talent or Dou Technique.

With that in mind, Jiang Yuan closed his eyes and began circulating his cultivation method. Dou Qi flowed through his body along a set path.

Before settling into his cultivation, he glanced at Dan Chen, who stood by the door. "Dan Chen, I'm going to cultivate in seclusion for a while. Don't let anyone disturb me."

Dan Chen nodded. "Don't worry. I'll stand guard here. No one's getting in."

Once she agreed, Jiang Yuan gave a soft acknowledgment and closed his eyes. He soon entered a state of cultivation.

Dan Chen stood at the door, watching him sit cross-legged on the floor, her mind full of questions.

She could not fathom how Jiang Yuan had sealed the Thunder Venerable's Dou Qi. That Dou Technique was far too powerful. The Thunder Venerable was a Dou Zun expert, yet Jiang Yuan had sealed him just like that.

The more she thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.

Jiang Yuan really does have more and more secrets.

While Dan Chen was lost in thought, footsteps sounded in the distance. She looked up and saw Cao Ying approaching.

When Cao Ying reached her, she glanced into the room before asking, "Dan Chen, is Jiang Yuan inside? I'd like to talk to him about something."

Dan Chen shook her head. "Cao Ying, you're too late. Jiang Yuan just started cultivating in seclusion. He said no one should disturb him, so you can't go in right now."

Disappointment showed on Cao Ying's face, but she knew he could not be disturbed while cultivating.

"All right. I'll come back when he comes out."

Despite saying that, Cao Ying did not leave. She remained where she was.

Noticing her hesitation, Dan Chen asked, "Cao Ying, is there something else?"

After a moment, Cao Ying stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Dan Chen, tell me. How did he do it?"

"What Dou Technique did he use to seal the Thunder Venerable's Dou Qi?"

Cao Ying was both stunned and curious. She could not understand how a young disciple could have done such a thing.

Dan Chen paused, then gave a rueful smile. "Honestly, Cao Ying, I don't know either."

"I was there watching. He seemed to use some incredibly powerful Dou Technique, and then the Thunder Venerable's Dou Qi was gone."

"I couldn't tell exactly what technique it was."

Cao Ying's expression grew more complicated. Emotions she could not put into words welled up inside her. The Jiang Yuan she had known was an ordinary disciple who could not even refine a Third-Tier Pill.

How had he suddenly become so powerful? First an Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Pill, and now a Dou Technique that could seal a Dou Zun expert. Everything had changed too quickly.

"When did he become this capable...?"

Cao Ying murmured the words, her voice tinged with resentment and regret.

Dan Chen sighed inwardly as she watched her. She knew Cao Ying must regret breaking off the engagement, but it was not her place to comment. She could only stand there in silence.

"Cao Ying, why don't you head back for now? When Jiang Yuan comes out, I'll tell him you stopped by and ask him to find you."

Cao Ying came back to herself and nodded. "All right. I'll go, then. Remember to let me know when he comes out."

With that, Cao Ying turned and left, her retreating figure looking lonely.

Dan Chen watched her go and shook her head. It's probably too late for Cao Ying to regret it now. If she'd known things would turn out this way, she wouldn't have done it in the first place.

Dan Chen kept those thoughts to herself and continued guarding the door for Jiang Yuan.

Inside the room, Jiang Yuan knew nothing of what had happened outside. He was completely absorbed in cultivation. His Dou Di Bloodline steadily tempered his body, while his Heaven-Defying Comprehension continued to work in the background.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye for him.