Upon seeing Jiang Chen walk into the courtyard, the servants all stopped and bowed respectfully.
Jiang Chen's current identity was that of a Surveying Grandmaster. Word from above was that this master had come to survey the terrain of Cloud Camel Mountain. Anyone who could move freely in and out of the Supreme Elder's residence was naturally someone these servants had to treat with the utmost deference.
After Jiang Chen entered, he asked, "Is the Elder at home?"
"He is. The Elder hasn't left the residence today."
"You're back already, sir?"
Jiang Chen nodded and walked straight inside.
Before long, Jiang Chen arrived at Yan Wanjun's living quarters. With his access pass and the fact that Yan Wanjun had given prior instructions, none of Yan Wanjun's attendants tried to stop him. On the contrary, they all nodded at him with ingratiating smiles.
Jiang Chen was quietly observing as well. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary on their faces, he allowed himself a small measure of relief.
Unlike Yan Wanjun, who believed the Yan clan would never move against him, Jiang Chen did not share such optimism.
Yan Wanjun's behavior that day had, in all honesty, thoroughly offended the Yan Clan Patriarch. A patriarch who had his authority snatched away by a Supreme Elder in front of everyone — that was practically a public act of defiance.
No matter how magnanimous the Yan Clan Patriarch might be, could he truly tolerate that?
The fact that the clan hadn't yet moved against Yan Wanjun was perhaps only because they were considering internal balance, worried that punishing Yan Wanjun would deal a psychological blow to the clan and make others feel the same apprehension rabbits feel when foxes die.
But here at Cloud Camel Mountain, if the Yan Clan Patriarch truly wanted to send someone after Yan Wanjun, he could easily pin everything on the Feng clan. That way, not only would it cause no upheaval within the clan — it could even be used to rally morale and strengthen the family's unity.
Although this might not necessarily come to pass, Jiang Chen firmly believed that one could never be too careful.
Moreover, even if the Yan clan didn't make a move, would the Xiahou clan be able to sit still? After Yan Wanjun had so publicly slapped the Xiahou clan in the face, would they swallow that humiliation without a fight?
That was absolutely not the Xiahou clan's style.
For this reason, Jiang Chen had already offered Yan Wanjun some veiled warnings.
With a trace of wariness, Jiang Chen made his way to Yan Wanjun's dwelling. Yan Wanjun was indeed in the courtyard, and his mood appeared to be quite good.
He was fussing over several stalks of Spiritual Medicine. These plants had all been cultivated by his own hand, and it was clear that Yan Wanjun had poured considerable effort into them.
Upon seeing Jiang Chen enter, Yan Wanjun immediately broke into a smile. "Young friend, you've already returned?"
"Elder Wanjun." Jiang Chen nodded and walked in, his nose instinctively twitching as he drew a breath.
His gaze swept in every direction.
Yan Wanjun noticed Jiang Chen's somewhat unusual reaction and grew a little puzzled. "Young friend, what are you looking for?"
Jiang Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "Elder Wanjun, were all of these Spiritual Medicine plants cultivated by you?"
"They were." Yan Wanjun chuckled. "Though I'm afraid they might not measure up to your standards."
Jiang Chen's alchemy talent was such that even Grandmaster Shi Xuan of the Hundred Sacred Lands had been defeated. On this front, Yan Wanjun was genuinely convinced.
Jiang Chen's gaze settled on one particular plant. "Elder Wanjun, this Black Jade Spirit Coral Plum — was it also cultivated by you?"
Jiang Chen stood beside the Black Jade Spirit Coral Plum, studying it closely, his expression taking on a contemplative look.
Yan Wanjun laughed. "Young friend, you certainly have a sharp eye. How did you tell that this one wasn't cultivated by me?"
"Every Spiritual Medicine cultivator has their own set of techniques, a distinctive style. This Black Jade Spirit Coral Plum is clearly different in style. It's not hard to notice."
Yan Wanjun clicked his tongue in admiration. "I concede. I never imagined you could pick up on such subtle differences. Personal style? Is the distinction really that obvious?"
He was somewhat incredulous. In his own eyes, this plant didn't seem to differ fundamentally from the others he had grown himself.
Could it be that in an expert's eyes, even Spiritual Medicine possessed something like a temperament?
Yan Wanjun was thoroughly bewildered.
Jiang Chen, however, did not indulge in any smug display. Instead, he continued to frown, examining the plant in meticulous detail. After a while, he began pacing around the courtyard again.
After a long moment, Jiang Chen finally asked quietly, "Elder Wanjun, I hope you'll forgive my boldness — but do you know where this particular plant came from?"
Yan Wanjun still hadn't grasped the gravity of the situation and responded with a smile. "Young friend, actually, I'd like to pose a question to you. In your view, what style of cultivation does this plant reflect?"
Jiang Chen replied evenly, "Cultivation style is difficult to explain in just a few words. However, this plant's style is completely different from your own techniques."