Inside Qin Chen's private courtyard at the Eastern Pacifying Prince's Residence.
Several days had passed since the Wood brothers' deaths.
Qin Chen had originally thought that once the Xiang Family learned of the deaths of their two Golden Core stage retainers, they would erupt in thunderous fury. Even that old monster Xiang Yang might come storming straight to their door.
Yet, to his surprise, the Great Chu Imperial House remained strangely quiet, as though nothing had happened at all.
"When things stray from the ordinary, something sinister must be at work." Qin Chen sat on a stone stool in the courtyard, tapping his fingers lightly against the table, his brow slightly furrowed.
The calmer the Xiang Family remained, the more Qin Chen felt that an enormous conspiracy lurked beneath it. It was like the calm before a storm, so oppressive that it left him struggling to breathe.
Just what is that old fellow Xiang Yang plotting? Qin Chen wondered.
He did not fear Xiang Yang. With his current strength and Xiaobai's ability to traverse the void, even if he could not win, escaping unscathed would be no problem.
What worried him, however, was that Xiang Yang might target the other members of the Qin Family.
"I can't keep waiting passively like this." A flicker of resolve flashed through Qin Chen's eyes.
Remaining with the family would allow him to protect Qin De and the others, but it would do nothing for his own cultivation.
The spiritual energy on the Qianlong Continent was far too thin, and resources were extremely scarce. They simply could not meet the immense demands of cultivating his "heavenly cycle star body."
He needed more natural treasures and greater pressure to awaken his potential and achieve rapid breakthroughs.
"It's time to venture out." Qin Chen rose, gazing toward the distant east.
There lay the vast, boundless ocean, the place where cultivators were said to gather, and the stage he truly yearned for.
With his current Golden Core mid-stage cultivation, his formidable physique, and Xiaobai's assistance, he could certainly walk unhindered across the Qianlong Continent. Even in the overseas cultivation world, he would count as a formidable expert.
Having made up his mind, Qin Chen began preparing to leave.
Rather than loudly announcing his departure, he quietly sought out Qin De.
In the study, Qin De remained silent for a long time after hearing Qin Chen's plans.
He knew that the tiny puddle that was the Qianlong Continent could never hold a True Dragon like Qin Chen.
Qin Chen's future lay in a wider world.
"Chen'er, you've grown up, and you have your own path to walk. I won't stand in your way." Qin De sighed, his eyes filled with reluctance to part, but even more with gratification and pride.
"Father, don't worry. I'm only going out to temper myself for a while. I'll be back soon," Qin Chen reassured him with a smile.
As he spoke, he drew a jade talisman from inside his robe and handed it to Qin De.
The jade talisman was translucent throughout, with faint spatial fluctuations flowing across its surface. It was a special communication talisman Qin Chen had crafted using Xiaobai's spatial talent.
"Father, keep this communication talisman safe. If the family encounters a crisis it cannot resolve, or if that old monster Xiang Yang really comes storming to our door, crush it," Qin Chen said solemnly. "The moment the jade talisman shatters, I'll sense it and use the spatial mark Xiaobai left on it to travel straight back through space."
Qin De accepted the jade talisman, carefully tucked it close to his body, and nodded solemnly. "All right, I'll remember. Be careful while you're out tempering yourself, too. Remember not to push yourself beyond your limits."
"I understand." Qin Chen bowed.
That very night, Qin Chen left the Eastern Pacifying Prince's Residence with Xiaobai without a sound.
Apart from Qin De, no one knew he had left.
Qin Chen knew full well that although the Great Chu Imperial House appeared to be holding its forces in place, it must have secretly dispatched large numbers of spies to watch the Qin Family's every move.
If he left openly, he would certainly attract the Xiang Family's attention and might even invite unnecessary trouble.
Better one less complication than one more. Leaving quietly was the wisest choice.
Several days later, in Linhai City on the eastern border of the Chu State.
Linhai City was the Chu State's largest port city, and the sole gateway connecting the Qianlong Continent to the overseas cultivation world.
Fish and dragons mingled here, and merchants gathered in droves. Countless ships entered and left the harbor each day, making it exceptionally prosperous.
Dressed in a blue-green robe, with a languid Xiaobai sprawled across his shoulder, Qin Chen strolled through Linhai City's bustling streets.
He was in no hurry to find a ship heading out to sea. Instead, he intended to explore the city first and ask for information about the overseas cultivation world.
After all, his knowledge of the overseas cultivation world was limited to scattered remarks from Feng Yuzi and Mu Qing. He knew nothing of many of its specific circumstances.
"Have you heard? The winds and waves at sea have been getting worse lately. Several merchant ships have sunk."
"Exactly. I heard powerful sea demons are causing trouble. Even Golden Core stage immortals don't dare head out to sea lightly anymore."
"Ah, these times really are growing more and more troubled."
The conversation of several merchants at a roadside tea stall reached Qin Chen's ears.
"Sea demons?" Qin Chen raised his brows slightly, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes.
He had been worrying about finding suitable opponents to hone his practical combat skills, and these sea demons were fine targets delivered right to his door.
Qin Chen walked up to the tea stall, tossed down a piece of silver, and asked the owner, "Sir, where nearby can I buy a nautical chart for a voyage out to sea?"
The tea stall owner put away the silver and enthusiastically pointed toward the end of the street. "Sir, follow this street straight ahead. At the end, there's a shop called All Rivers Embrace the Sea. They specialize in all kinds of nautical charts and sailing equipment."
"Thank you." Qin Chen nodded, then turned and headed toward the end of the street.
The All Rivers Embrace the Sea shop was large, its interior filled with all manner of goods. From ordinary compasses and ropes to precious water-repelling pearls and wind-calming pills, it had everything.
Qin Chen entered the shop and swept his gaze over the shelves before finally resting it on an enormous nautical chart behind the counter.
The chart was drawn in exquisite detail. It not only marked the waters surrounding the Qianlong Continent, but also faintly sketched the outlines of some overseas islands.
"Shopkeeper, how much for this nautical chart?" Qin Chen asked, pointing at it.
The shopkeeper was a lean middle-aged man. He looked Qin Chen up and down, and a trace of contempt flashed through his eyes when he saw how young and plainly dressed Qin Chen was.
"Boy, this is the crowning treasure of our shop. It records the waters within a hundred thousand li in detail, and even marks the lairs of some dangerous sea demons," the shopkeeper said arrogantly. "One price: a thousand low-grade spirit stones!"
"A thousand low-grade spirit stones?" Qin Chen frowned slightly.
Never mind the Qianlong Continent-even overseas, a thousand low-grade spirit stones would certainly be an enormous sum.
This shopkeeper was clearly opening his jaws like a lion, demanding an outrageous price and taking him for a fool.
"What? Too expensive?" The shopkeeper sneered. "If it's too expensive, go look somewhere else. We don't bargain here."
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