Lin Han naturally knew that since things had come to this, it would be a fight to the death. He had a vague premonition that although this Jiang Chen was weak now, once he grew up, he would surely be his mortal enemy!
Lin Han's killing intent surged, and in this intense killing intent, the entire tea house seemed to turn much colder.
"Wu Ming, you make your move."
"Yes!Lin Han's attendant in green walked towards the downstairs.
His aura was sinister. Although there were no true essence fluctuations, Jiang Feng felt immense terror from this person.
This disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect, surnamed Wu, walked the path of slaughter and had likely reached the late stage of Innate. With him making a move, Jiang Chen would have no chance of survival.
Upon seeing Jiang Chen defeat the Cloud Mist Sect disciple, after a brief silence, a roar like that of a tidal wave instantly erupted. Some family heads from Tianwu City had already foreseen Jiang Chen's future achievements.
They didn't even care if Nángōng Wǎn'ér had consumption, and a throng of them rushed forward.
"Jiang Chen, I am your Uncle Chen. I watched you grow up. I have a niece who isn't married yet. Becoming a concubine would be just right. Shall we have a marriage to strengthen our bond..."
"What Chen Uncle, younger brother Chen, I'm thirty years older than you, but I've admired you for a long time. What Jiang family genius Jiang Feng? There's only one genius in the Jiang family, and that's Jiang Chen!"
Not just Jiang Chen, even Jiang Hai was surrounded by the suddenly enthusiastic residents of Tianwu City. After all, breaking through seven meridians was akin to reaching the heavens in one step. They believed that after today, major sects would come to take him as a disciple, and his future would be limitless.
Jiang Chen didn't have time to be happy when he suddenly felt a chilling cold and a strong sense of crisis. It was as if he were being stared at by an ancient fierce beast. Fortunately, this sense of crisis flashed by.
Not far away, a young man in a gray cloth robe stood at the street corner. He was about thirty years old. A scar ran across his already ferocious face. He looked as if he had stepped out of a sea of corpses and blood, his killing intent soaring.
But this killing intent only appeared for a moment. The next instant, the young man froze on the spot, his eyes filled with horror, as if he had seen something terrifying.
There was a person between heaven and earth!
On either side of the great avenue, with buildings and eaves, jagged corners, and crowds of people gathered.
But in Wu Ming's eyes, all of this did not exist.
In his consciousness, there was no avenue in the city, no houses, not even the surging crowd. There was only one person, like a god descending to the world, standing tall and magnificent, as if one with creation, born together with heaven and earth. His eyes were filled with disbelief, and his legs were trembling.
His heart exclaimed in terror: Could there truly be a god like in God Chapter 19 to sleep in this room?
The phenomenon of Jiang Chen breaking through seven meridians had already alarmed the entire Tianwu City. Countless residents gathered in a vast throng, and even martial artists with cultivation flew over rooftops, wanting to witness firsthand who the prodigy breaking through seven meridians was.
In less than half an hour, the streets and alleys were packed with people.
Even the shopkeepers and the girls from the brothels were attracted. This street had never seen such a prosperous scene. Even the eaves were filled with people at this moment.
Everyone stared blankly at that figure, unable to believe what was happening before their eyes. The peerless prodigy who broke through seven meridians was actually the Jiang Chen who had been mocked for years?
Many people regretted it deeply. Because as early as half a month ago, Jiang Chen had gone around looking for someone to propose marriage. At this moment, there was no longer any contempt in their eyes, but deep shock and awe.
Condensing Qi and breaking through seven meridians, and defeating a Cloud Mist Sect disciple across eight minor realms, these were rare miracles in the world.
Jiang Chen already had a mythical aura about him, leaving an indelible and shocking impression on everyone.
"Genius, he is a true martial arts genius. He will definitely become a powerful figure in the future!"
"Let alone Tianwu City, even in the Eastern Wasteland, he is an exceptionally talented prodigy. No wonder he only started condensing Qi at twenty. It was only by accumulating his foundation and tempering himself that he had the opportunity to astonish the world with a single brilliant feat today!"
"In times of chaos, geniuses are born. In a few decades, Jiang Chen will surely become one of the human race's supreme experts!"
"He was mocked for so many years, yet he didn't say a word, hiding his sharpness within. Not only his talent, but his strong will and depth of scheming are simply terrifying! Such a prodigy is seen only once in a lifetime!"
Jiang Chen pushed aside the surging crowd and saw Xiè Sāndāo. As soon as Xiè Sāndāo met Jiang Chen's gaze, his whole body shrank, and he trembled. His eyes were filled with horror and fear, tears and snot streaming down his face.
"Jiang... Jiang Chen... Spare me, just this once... I beg you..."
Jiang Chen's eyes carried killing intent. He had provoked him time and time again. Although he was instigated by someone behind him, Jiang Chen was not someone to be trifled with. A flash of spear light streaked across.
Xiè Sāndāo's voice abruptly stopped. The spear had actually pierced through his chest. He looked at the wound in his chest in horror, wanting to speak, but it was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a word. Only bloody foam gushed from his mouth...
The surrounding neighbors were also stunned, as no one expected Jiang Chen to actually kill someone on the street.
At this moment, Jiang Chen had condensed Qi and broken through seven meridians, which was no different from leaping and transforming into a dragon. It could be said that even if he killed several of them, no one would dare to interfere. But everyone knew who was behind Xiè Sāndāo. This was undoubtedly a formal declaration of war against Jiang Chánglíng and his son!
But Jiang Chen had now condensed Qi and was no longer the youth who was bullied by anyone. In his past and present lives, he had never feared any challenge, let alone a mere small family in Tianwu City.
On the periphery, Nángōng Wǎn'ér's constantly worried heart finally relaxed. Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't know why, but her heart had been completely focused on Jiang Chen just now, fearing he might have an accident. She never expected that Jiang Chen would condense Qi from such a desperate situation, and even break through seven meridians in one go.
She never imagined that the man who once seemed unremarkable would grow to this extent in just one month.
"Little girl, is he your man?"
A withered old man shuffled towards her.
Nángōng Wǎn'ér suddenly felt a sense of vigilance.
The old man walked slowly, but every step seemed to strike a chord in Nángōng Wǎn'ér's heart.
But this oppressive feeling quickly disappeared. Looking again, he was just a down-and-out old man.
The old man tightened his coarse-spun clothes, leaned against the entrance of Jiang Chen's house, and slowly sat down.
"Not bad, you have good taste in men. Is this your yard wall? May I sit?"
Nángōng Wǎn'ér nodded.
The withered old man leaned against the wall, basking in the warm sunlight, seeming to fall asleep slowly.
On the second floor of the teahouse,
Lin Han looked at Wu Ming, who had returned, his expression extremely gloomy.
"What? Are you scared too? Afraid to kill a genius who broke through seven meridians?"
Wu Ming seemed to be lingering in fear, as if he had just escaped some great terror. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. After a long while, he managed to blurt out:
"Senior Brother Lin, a powerful expert has descended, hurry and leave!"
...
Night fell.
Today was the most glorious day of Jiang Hai's life.
As he grew older, he became more and more worried about his grandson. He often thought, with Jiang Chen's father gone, how would Jiang Chen live alone if he also left the world?
For many years, for his useless grandson, he had done his utmost to protect him.
His usually fiery temper had become gentle, and his upright spine had bent. He was afraid that if he offended someone, they would retaliate against Jiang Chen.
But today, Jiang Chen had successfully condensed Qi and become the only peerless prodigy in Tianwu City's history to break through seven meridians.
His eyes were filled with tears, and he was even happier than Jiang Chen. He had finally put down the heavy burden on his back and had a good drink. At the end, he kept shouting Jiang Lie's name.
A white-haired man seeing off his son – for so many years, no one knew how much pain this old man had suppressed in his heart. If it weren't for Jiang Chen, he would have lost the will to live long ago. And today, he finally lived for himself.
In the bedroom,
Candlelight flickered.
The door was pushed open, and a gust of wine poured in with Jiang Chen. Nángōng Wǎn'ér was currently sitting on the bed, her black hair elegantly pinned up, her beautiful eyes slightly closed. The dim candlelight illuminated her alluring face, adding to her charm.
Jiang Chen poured them both a glass of water. Then followed a long silence. The room was incredibly quiet, with only the faint sound of each other's breathing.
Finally, Jiang Chen couldn't help but speak: "I have successfully condensed Qi."
Nángōng Wǎn'ér's eyelashes fluttered. After resting for a while, most of the remaining Moonlight Power in her body had dissipated.
Perhaps, it was time for them to part. But for some reason, a hint of reluctance welled up in her heart.
Although she had been married to Jiang Chen for just over half a month, she had unconsciously grown accustomed to this peaceful andcontented life. Even their verbal sparring made her feel much happier.
And then, the resolute figure who stood before her when she encountered danger.
"I will leave here soon."
"That's not what I meant. To be honest, this is my first marriage. Before marrying you, I did think about separating from you if I succeeded in condensing Qi. But after spending time together day and night, I feel that living with you is quite good. If you're willing, you can live here for as long as you want."
Jiang Chen left, the candles were extinguished, and the room was plunged into darkness.
Lying on the bed, Nángōng Wǎn'ér couldn't sleep for a long time.
Recalling their first meeting, then the inexplicable marriage, and their interactions during these past few days, she couldn't help but admit that she was being slowly moved and attracted by him.
Even though he was so glib, ever since the night of their wedding, he had never entered her room again. If Jiang Chen had wanted to, with her current strength, she would have been unable to resist. She naturally knew how attractive her body was to men, but Jiang Chen preferred to take cold showers at night and never brought up sharing a room with her again.
No matter what danger she encountered, Jiang Chen always stood in front of her without hesitation. Unconsciously, she no longer felt any guard or fear towards Jiang Chen.
However, what if he knew she was a saintess of the Demonic Race? How would she face Jiang Chen then?
Outside the door, the sound of Jiang Chen taking a cold shower could be heard again.
After hesitating for a moment,
Nángōng Wǎn'ér sat up.
Under the moonlight,
As the door creaked open, revealing Nángōng Wǎn'ér's charming and alluring face. In the moonlight, she was as beautiful as a night-blooming cereus.
Jiang Chen was quite surprised.
"Can't sleep?"
Nángōng Wǎn'ér's eyes flickered. After hesitating, she finally said, "You can sleep in this room."
"Ah?"
Jiang Chen's eyes widened. He thought he had misheard.
"What did you say? You don't have some sort of scheme, do you?"
Nángōng Wǎn'ér took a deep breath, and a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes.
"If you don't come, then forget it!"
"I'm coming, who said I'm not coming!" Jiang Chen threw down the towel in his hand and quickly darted into Nángōng Wǎn'ér's room. Chapter 20: Disturbance of Demonic Beasts in Myriad Beast Mountain Range.
The room was pitch black.
Nángōng Wǎn'ér clutched the quilt tightly, her heart pounding uncontrollably, making her almost hear her own heartbeat.
Unlike the last time she was drugged, this time she was fully awake. She could even feel the warmth of the man beside her. Her nervous body trembled.
She wanted to regret it, but it was too late. After all, she was the one who had actively invited Jiang Chen to sleep in this room. But now...
Jiang Chen subtly inhaled the faint floral scent, his mind already racing with thoughts. But he could feel the nervousness of the beauty beside him, even through the quilt. Having lived two lives, he naturally knew that Nángōng Wǎn'ér was doing this only to repay his kindness. He had his own pride.
Jiang Chen reached out and gently patted Nángōng Wǎn'ér, saying softly, "Let's sleep."
Nángōng Wǎn'ér thought she had misheard. As a prodigy of the Succubus race, she was accustomed to the admiration and desire of men towards her. She even detested their lecherous gazes.
For the first time, she felt cared for.
After a while, the sound of Jiang Chen's even breathing could be heard, as if he had fallen asleep.
Nángōng Wǎn'ér's nervous tension gradually eased, but inexplicably, a sense of emptiness welled up. She gradually fell asleep, and in a daze, it seemed like she had fallen into a warm embrace.
This warmth made her anxious heart calm and peaceful. She gradually let go of her worries and slowly sank into a deeper sleep.
.....
Morning.
An old man and a young man were sitting on either side of the courtyard entrance, like guardian deities.
The young hero who broke through seven meridians yesterday was eating freshly steamed meat buns.
The old man on the other side had tattered clothes, white and withered hair, and even a few strands of straw mixed in. If he had a broken bowl, he could beg. Although there were many refugees lately, someone this destitute was rare.
Jiang Chen couldn't stand the old man's covetous look any longer and, with a pang of sympathy, gave him a bun.
The scruffy old man chuckled and accepted it without politeness. He ate it in a few bites, slurping as it was hot, then picked up another.
Neither of them spoke, but their movements were in sync. The speed at which they ate the buns increased significantly. Until their hands simultaneously reached for the last bun.
Their eyes met, sparks flying.
"Respect the old and love the young."
"I bought the buns."
"I haven't eaten in two days. Are you really going to snatch food from an old man?"
As Jiang Chen was about to say something else, he saw those dirty hands snatch it away. Watching the snow-white, tender bun being defiled, Jiang Chen helplessly withdrew his hand and glared at the old man.
The old man, however, was completely indifferent.
"There are countless people in this world who would go to great lengths to offer me delicacies, yet you, kid, have no foresight."
Jiang Chen felt that this old man might be crazy.
"Then quickly go eat those delicacies and don't come eat my buns."
"I won't eat your buns for free. Here, have a drink..."
The old man uncorked his wine gourd. Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened. In the black wine gourd, there was an immense sword energy, pure and vast, terrifying beyond measure.
Jiang Chen was stunned on the spot.
Seemingly satisfied with Jiang Chen's reaction, the old man took a self-satisfied sip of wine.
In the demon world, there were thirteen ancient demon gods who ruled different territories. The old man, holding a divine sword, had fought three of them. Carrying an invincible sword intent, he had once shattered the high heavens, causing immense turmoil and change in the demon realm.
The old man was still immersed in his past heroic exploits. When he came to his senses, he only saw Jiang Chen's retreating back.
"This kid is even more amazing than me?"
The old man was stunned for a moment. Instead of getting angry, he laughed heartily. His figure gradually faded, until he disappeared.
...
Hundreds of miles away, in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range,
A brown bear, tens of meters tall, stood upright.
Its mane was black, and its terrifying aura could be felt from afar.
There were no living creatures nearby. In just one day, it had devoured all the life in this mountain range.
Its stomach was still ravenously hungry.
As if summoned, it began walking towards Tianwu City...
In a cloud of mist, two red lights floated in the fog.
Countless withered bones were hidden beneath the mist.
No, they weren't lanterns,
But the blood-red eyes of a giant snake tens of meters long.
It flicked its tongue, slithering towards Tianwu City...
Deep within the mountain range,
A large area of forest was flattened, and countless First-order Demon Beasts converged into a beast tide, rushing out of the mountain range.
From a distance, it looked like a black torrent.
Their eyes were filled with panic, as if driven by some existence.
Finally,
A terrifying roar echoed through the boundless mountain range.
All the trees trembled, and fallen leaves rustled down.
A colossal figure appeared, hidden behind the dense fog, its true form indiscernible.
With every step it took, the mountains seemed to tremble and collapse.
Birds took flight in fright, and all beasts knelt in fear and trembled.
This demon beast had lived for an unknown number of years, covered in moss. It had received the summons of the gods of the demon world and was finally about to leave the mountains.
...
These past few days,
Tianwu City was in a state of panic.
In the villages and towns outside the city, demonic beasts attacked every day. Even martial artists in the Condensing Qi stage could hardly survive the attacks.
Wealthy families in Tianwu City had already begun to flee.
They spent vast sums of money to hire experts to escort them to larger cities.
Even if they were ruined, they didn't want to stay in Tianwu City for another moment.
In the Jiang family mansion,
"Quick, drink this bowl of medicine. You'll get better after drinking it."
Jiang Chen said with affection.
As the saintess of the Nine Tribulation Demonic Sect, Nángōng Wǎn'ér had never feared even Lín Xīyuè of the Taixuan Sword Sect.
But this time, she was afraid.
"Are you sure this is a bowl?"
Jiang Chen looked at the basin in front of him.
Calling it a bowl was somewhat inappropriate.
It was his fault too; it was the first time he had brewed medicine without proper measurement, adding too much water.
To cultivate the technique, sacrificing some feminine charm was necessary.
He furrowed his brows and leaned forward.
He stared domineeringly at Nángōng Wǎn'ér,
"Woman! Drink it all!"
Then, this basin of medicinal soup was evenly sprinkled over Jiang Chen's head.
Jiang Hai had just returned home and saw the scene of his grandson and granddaughter-in-law bickering. A smile appeared on his aged face. This familial joy was what he had longed for.
"You two, stop fooling around for now. Stay indoors these few days, it's not peaceful outside."
"What happened?"
Jiang Chen asked, confused.
"Many refugees have come to the city these past few days. I heard there are demonic beasts appearing around Tianwu City, and several villages have been destroyed, killing thousands of people."
"Where are the human experts of Tianwu City?"
"I heard that the war on the front lines is tight, so they all went to the Bohai front."
Nángōng Wǎn'ér's heart sank. Had the human experts pursuing her finally left? Perhaps, it was time for her to leave as well.
For some reason, Nángōng Wǎn'ér felt a sense of reluctance. Chapter 21: That Figure.
Jiang Chen had already fallen asleep.
For the past two days, Jiang Chen had been sleeping in Nángōng Wǎn'ér's room. After the first time, the second naturally followed.
Although nothing had happened between them, Nángōng Wǎn'ér gradually stopped resisting Jiang Chen's intentional or unintentional physical contact.
But tonight, Nángōng Wǎn'ér couldn't sleep for a long time.
Looking at Jiang Chen sleeping beside her, her heart felt both sweet and bitter. Recalling these days felt like a dream. Their meeting in this life was only to sever their past-life engagement, and now the dream was finally about to end.
She gently caressed Jiang Chen's face, "Take good care of yourself. Just pretend I never existed."
Nángōng Wǎn'ér slowly got up, cast a lingering glance at the peacefully sleeping Jiang Chen, concealed her graceful figure within her clothes, carefully opened the door, and quietly left.