Based on what Jiang Chen knew of Linghu Xian, this old man might have looked amiable on the surface, but he was rotten to the core—at the very least, he was the sort of person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Moreover, the old man was clearly a narrow-minded individual. Having been refused twice by Jiang Chen, the relationship between them was bound to be as hostile as fire and water.
This time especially, Jiang Chen's refusal of Linghu Xian would be seen, in Linghu Xian's eyes, as a direct robbery of his grandson Linghu Feng's opportunity.
Once Jiang Chen secured the cave dwelling and Linghu Feng lost out in the competition, Linghu Xian would certainly seize the chance to exact revenge.
Within Dan Qian Palace, perhaps Linghu Xian wouldn't dare make a direct move against Jiang Chen. But sending people to harass the Treasure Tree Sect, even causing real harm to it—those were things he could clearly still manage, whether openly or through the shadows.
"Linghu Xian, you and your grandson have provoked me time and again. Once you cross my line, I'll show you what real regret feels like!"
Jiang Chen watched Linghu Xian's retreating figure, a flash of killing intent flickering through his eyes.
If Linghu Xian and Linghu Feng competed with him openly through alchemy, Jiang Chen wouldn't fear them in the slightest. What he worried about was this kind of despicable schemer who targeted innocent bystanders instead.
The Treasure Tree Sect, for instance. While Jiang Chen couldn't claim any deep attachment to the sect, if they suffered blowback because of his affairs, that was something he was unwilling to see.
Since Linghu Xian had made his threat, Jiang Chen had to take precautions before trouble struck. He absolutely could not wait until Linghu Xian made his move and then scramble to find a remedy—it would be too late by then.
Jiang Chen returned to his cave dwelling. Mu Gaoqi noticed his grave expression and immediately asked what had happened.
Jiang Chen didn't hold back and told him everything.
Mu Gaoqi erupted in curses: "The Linghu clan has always been arrogant, and this Linghu Xian is a cunning old fox. Within the sect, plenty of people know this old man is trouble—he's like a pile of thorns, and whoever gets stuck with him is out of luck. Brother Chen, you need to watch out for that old devil."
Jiang Chen nodded. "The old man is narrow-minded; I can't afford not to be cautious. He probably thinks he's got me cornered already. I won't give him the chance to make his move."
Seeing Jiang Chen so calm and composed, Mu Gaoqi felt somewhat reassured.
"All right, Gaoqi, let's set this aside for now. Let's get back to the matter of pills."
That night, Jiang Chen took great pains to instruct him, offering Mu Gaoqi a great deal of guidance. After their lengthy discussion, Mu Gaoqi felt as though the clouds had parted and the sky cleared—he had truly entered an entirely new realm of understanding.
"Brochen Chen, hearing your words is worth ten years of study. You are truly the great benefactor destined for me, Mu Gaoqi. If I ever achieve anything in the future, Brother Chen, you will be the guiding light that led the way."
Mu Gaoqi spoke with heartfelt gratitude.
"Since we happened to cross paths, and were it not for your kind nature, I wouldn't have shared any of this with you. Gaoqi, tomorrow in the decisive battle, you win yourself the Supreme cave dwelling. That will be more convincing than any words of thanks."
Mu Gaoqi nodded firmly. "Brother Chen, originally I only had fifty or sixty percent confidence. Now, I feel I have a full ninety percent. I'm going to seize a Supreme cave dwelling right after you do. I'll let those snobbish bastards know that I, Mu Gaoqi, am no coward as they've made me out to be!"
Mu Gaoqi's personality had indeed been rather timid in the past. In how he conducted himself, he would rather suffer a loss than cause trouble. He always tried to be the good guy, to please everyone around him.
And yet, in the end, he hadn't managed to please a single person. Within the Crimson Cloud Valley, there were hardly any core disciples who truly opened their hearts to him.
It wasn't because he wasn't friendly enough, nor because he wasn't sincere enough—it was simply that his martial talent and cultivation were too unremarkable.
And as for alchemy, though Mu Gaoqi possessed excellent talent in that area, among the younger generation he still didn't hold the kind of overwhelming advantage that would let him look down on everyone else.
In the latter half of the night, the two of them rested and meditated in seclusion, gathering their strength and clearing their minds.
Early the next morning, both looking sharp and full of energy, they arrived at the Divine Separation Palace.
The moment they stepped inside, they spotted that old man Linghu Xian. His gaze swept past Jiang Chen with a half-smile that held no warmth, and a sharp warning flashed through his eyes.
It was clearly a final ultimatum directed at Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen acted as though he hadn't noticed, sneering inwardly: Old devil Linghu, if you're courting death, I won't mind sending you and your grandson on your way.
Seeing Jiang Chen simply smirk and utterly ignore him, Linghu Xian flew into a rage. He sent a voice transmission: "Jiang Chen, this is the last chance I'll give you. Find an excuse and withdraw now. Everything before this will be wiped clean. The conditions I promised before will still stand. Otherwise, you will regret it."
Jiang Chen suddenly stopped in his tracks, a look of contempt on his face. He fixed his gaze on Linghu Xian and deliberately raised his voice: "Elder Linghu, how exactly are you going to make me regret it? I'd very much like to hear about that."
Linghu Xian clearly hadn't expected Jiang Chen to suddenly speak up like this.
He had been using a voice transmission to warn Jiang Chen, so naturally he would deny everything to the last. He put on a bewildered expression: "Jiang Chen, were you talking to me?"
Playing dumb!
A cold smile played at the corner of Jiang Chen's lips. "Elder Linghu, at your age, don't you find it a bit pathetic to play the fool in front of a young man? Last night you had the nerve to come to my cave and threaten me, and just now you dared to openly send me a voice transmission with the same. But now you don't even have the courage to admit it?"
Jiang Chen deliberately spoke at a volume that drew immediate attention. Curious stares converged on them from all directions. Several presiding elders stepped forward one after another to ask what was going on.
Linghu Xian assumed an expression of righteous dignity: "Jiang Chen, perhaps my grandson Linghu Feng had some verbal exchange with you yesterday? There's no need for you to slander an old man like me, is there? My character is something everyone in Dan Qian Palace, from top to bottom, knows well. Why on earth would someone of my standing bother threatening a newly admitted disciple? Threaten you with what?"
At that moment, outside the great hall, Elder Yun Nie happened to walk in.
Seeing the crowd that had gathered, he furrowed his brow. "What's going on here?"