Inside Elder Chen’s room.
The three of them sat around a small, round table, having dismissed the nearby attendants and maids.
"So, what are your plans now?"
Elder Chen, having regained his composure, began to ask about Xiao Chen’s next steps.
Xiao Chen got straight to the point. "I want to know how I can destroy the Jiang Family."
He paused for a moment before adding, "A method that eradicates them, root and stem, leaving no loose ends."
Chen Zhi’an’s expression grew troubled at his words. "Junior Brother, completely toppling the Jiang Family is no simple matter."
"They are, after all, a major family with deep roots and many branches."
Xiao Chen was very serious. "It doesn’t matter. I believe anything is possible with enough effort."
Elder Chen was gratified to hear this. ’This is how a young man should be,’ he thought. ’Clear about his friends and enemies, and determined to repay all debts of hatred.’
Besides, with the Jiang Family as a common enemy, Xiao Chen would inevitably grow closer to the Chen Family.
"Let me think on this carefully."
Elder Chen pondered for a moment. "For you, there are two paths."
"The first is to win through sheer power. The cultivation world has always revered strength; this is an immutable law."
"If you can one day break through to the late-stage Golden Core Realm and become the strongest in the sect, you’ll naturally be free to do as you please."
"At that time, you can take up your sword and settle all the injustices in your heart."
Xiao Chen shook his head. "That’s too slow. What’s the second method?"
"The second method is a little faster." Elder Chen held up two fingers. "But it has two conditions."
"First, you must possess the power of a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and you must be stronger than that old bastard from the Jiang Family."
"Second, you must be able to refine a Tier Three Spirit Pill—the Fuling Rejuvenation Pill."
Xiao Chen frowned slightly upon hearing this. "A Tier Three Spirit Pill?"
’Wait, the Jiang Family doesn’t have any Golden Core Cultivators. How can they refine a Tier Three Spirit Pill, a whole realm above their level?’
Elder Chen nodded. "The Jiang Family was able to rise because they can provide Daoists with the Fuling Rejuvenation Pill."
"If you want to completely eliminate the Jiang Family, you must be able to fill that void. Otherwise, the Daoists won’t allow it."
’So that’s the connection. No wonder the Jiang Family rose so quickly.’
Chen Zhi’an offered some comfort, "Junior Brother, don’t be discouraged. As the saying goes, for a gentleman to take revenge, ten years is not too late."
"With your potential, the Jiang Family should be the ones worrying now."
After that, the three of them tacitly changed the subject and chatted about some interesting stories from their cultivation journeys.
「Back at Bishui Peak.」
Xiao Chen closed his door and took out the Storage Bag he had obtained from the ’Luoyun Wanderer’.
With his previous experience, it only took him five hours to complete the Refinement this time.
A scan with his Divine Sense immediately revealed a total of 3,444 Spirit Stones inside.
After separating out the expired Talismans, Fasting Pills, and other miscellaneous items, Xiao Chen once again saw a Five-Colored Golden Lotus.
And not only was there a Golden Lotus, but there was also a pristine Foundation Establishment Pill.
’Huh, why would a Foundation Establishment Cultivator be carrying around a Foundation Establishment Pill and a Five-Colored Golden Lotus?’
Xiao Chen found it strange. Although a Foundation Establishment Pill was precious, it was only useful to cultivators at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.
’If it were him, he would have sold it for Spirit Stones long ago.’
Next was his Evergreen Sword, which he had finally recovered.
Along with it were a Middle-Grade Magic Robe and the Heart-Piercing Nail, a specially crafted Demon Soldier.
Xiao Chen examined it repeatedly. Just holding it in his hand, it was impossible to tell that this small, inch-long gadget could so easily pierce the Plain Shield.
He tried to inject a trace of Magical Power into it.
However, he couldn’t activate it. It wasn’t just because of insufficient Magical Power; it seemed to require some other condition as well.
Then, he found a rather exquisite invitation.
"Oh? The Quanzhou Mutual Aid Society cordially invites the esteemed Black Wind Wanderer to a meeting at Yellow Wind Valley on the first day of the twelfth lunar month?"
"The esteemed Black Wind Wanderer?"
’Strange, who’s that?’
’Another victim, perhaps?’
The invitation went on to say that they had long heard of the Black Wind Wanderer’s great name.
They hoped he would attend on time to join the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators of Quanzhou for mutual aid and protection.
’Hah, so his real name was Black Wind Wanderer.’