Chapter 394: Chapter 107: Two and a Half Years, Shocking Upheaval in Qing State

Lin Chen looked at Jiang Liqian in front of him, his expression shocked.

He wasn’t doubting the truth about whether the Guangyuan Commerce Association had allied with the Demon Sect or not.

After all, the Demon Sect is now extremely powerful, practically dominating the entire Eastern Domain of the Qing State.

It has seemingly become the second major power in Qing State below the Wenda Sect.

There are even rumors that say.

The Demon Sect intends to replace the Wenda Sect and become the overlord of Qing State.

But regarding these rumors, the Wenda Sect seems indifferent and hasn’t responded at all.

The issue is...

A few days ago, Lin Chen had just made a deal with Chairman Zheng.

If the Guangyuan Commerce Association had truly allied with the Demon Sect, he should have been ambushed by them.

But the problem is, that transaction went exceptionally smoothly.

Jiang Liqian took a deep breath and said:

"It’s indeed surprising, but it’s the truth..."

"To be precise, it’s not the entire Guangyuan Commerce Association that has allied with the Demon Sect, but rather a faction within the Guangyuan Commerce Association along with the neutral force Wenlu Academy that... have allied with the Demon Sect!"

After pausing for a moment, Jiang Liqian continued:

"Do you still remember the Fifth Young Master from several years ago?"

"After exploring the Dragon Spirit Sect ruins, the Fifth Young Master gathered a group of cultivators, and under the guise of returning spirit stones, has been in contact with those who once explored the ruins over the years."

"Gradually, people discovered that those cultivators who initially explored the ruins began to disappear."

"Until recently, it was discovered... that the Fifth Young Master had been cultivating with the Demon Sect, harming over a thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators to gain their cultivation... and had swiftly broken through to the Nascent Soul Stage!"

"A few days ago, a Nascent Soul Cultivator attempted to capture him but was instead killed by the Fifth Young Master... I’m afraid his cultivation has already reached the mid Nascent Soul Stage!"

Lin Chen was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

In just three years, from Half-Step Nascent Soul to mid Nascent Soul Stage...

No wonder so many people want to cultivate demons.

This speed of cultivation is terrifying.

"So, it’s the Fifth Young Master’s faction that allied with the Demon Sect?"

"If I’m not mistaken, the Fifth Young Master’s father should be a strong contender for the next chairman... it’s the biggest faction of the Guangyuan Commerce Association, right?" Lin Chen asked.

Jiang Liqian nodded after hearing this, not denying it.

Goodness, the biggest faction allied with the Demon Sect.

What’s the difference between that and the entire alliance with the Demon Sect?

Lin Chen knew in his heart that as a neutral faction, there must be some wavering individuals within the Guangyuan Commerce Association.

For example, the Fifth Young Master’s faction might be pro-demon.

Relatively speaking... Chairman Zheng’s faction seems to maintain absolute neutrality, not having allied with the Demon Sect.

For this reason, Lin Chen had not been betrayed by Chairman Zheng previously.

"Alas, but one mustn’t be without suspicion, it seems I’ll have to pause my transactions with the Guangyuan Commerce Association."

Lin Chen shook his head.

Fortunately, in these two or three years, Lin Chen had accumulated several million spirit stones in wealth.

Temporarily halting transactions is entirely sufficient to support cultivation needs.

At this moment, Jiang Liqian hesitated for a moment before saying:

"There’s another piece of news, and after hearing it... I hope you can stay calm."

"The Nether Realm has stopped advancing westward, leaving the border line fifty thousand miles east of the Human Path City."

"At the same time, Old Demon Blood Pupil has gathered a large number of demon cultivators and moved south..."

Moved southward...

Lin Chen was taken aback.

The Nether Realm moving south, that would be... the Yanlai Realm!

"Is Old Demon Blood Pupil launching an all-out attack on the Changchun Sect?"

Lin Chen’s expression turned serious.

Jiang Liqian nodded and said:

"To be precise, it’s not that they are about to launch a total attack... it’s very likely that the attack has already begun."

"The information I received is from half a month ago regarding the Demon Sect’s movements, and now, with half a month having passed, I fear..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen’s expression subtly changed.

"Does my master know about this?"

Jiang Liqian silently nodded.

Lin Chen couldn’t wait any longer and rode his magical treasure straight to Medicine Mountain.

He feared that Han Jihai might take it too hard and return to the Changchun Sect.

If that were the case, it would be nothing short of courting death...

...

However, when Lin Chen arrived at the Changchun Sect, he was surprised by Han Jihai’s calmness.

He saw Han Jihai sitting on a grand chair, drinking tea and puffing on his pipe.

When he saw Lin Chen, he merely lifted his eyelids and asked:

"You’re here? You know about the Changchun Sect’s situation?"

Lin Chen nodded after hearing this.

Han Jihai glanced at Lin Chen a few times and asked:

"Kid, you’re not thinking of doing something foolish to save the sect from disaster, are you?"

Lin Chen shook his head upon hearing this.

He certainly wasn’t going to court death; instead, he was worried that Han Jihai would take it too hard and return to the sect.

Hearing this, Han Jihai sighed with relief and said:

"Well, that’s good."

"Actually, the Grandmaster prepared a fallback plan for the sect long ago... right?"

"Five years ago, when he sent us to Wenda City, it was actually to avoid being embroiled in war, wasn’t it?"

Lin Chen remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded and said:

"Master, the Demon Sect is extremely powerful... a fallback is necessary."

Receiving Lin Chen’s affirmative response, Han Jihai took a deep draw from his pipe.

The room was swirling with smoke...

"Chen’Er, do you remember how your Second Senior Brother died?"

Han Jihai asked, his voice very calm.

Lin Chen nodded and said, "Yes, he died at the hands of a Tribulation Cultivator..."

Cen Wushan died at the hands of a Tribulation Cultivator, but that Tribulation Cultivator was backed by the Wild Wolf Sect.

The Wild Wolf Sect was backed by the four sects of the Demon Sect, namely Old Demon Blood Pupil!

As early as twenty years ago, the Demon Sect began all of this.

Cen Wushan, Wan Xun, the Array Peak Master...

And countless disciples and elders of the Changchun Sect, all died fighting against the Demon Sect.

Lin Chen knew all of this.

But he also knew that with the Demon Sect’s current power, the Changchun Sect couldn’t possibly withstand it.

Han Jihai took several puffs on his pipe and said:

"Your Second Senior Brother’s death is inextricably linked to his temperament. In cultivation, one must be steady and never rashly invite trouble..."

"This is what I’ve always taught you all."

"So... you must never return to the Changchun Sect; just stay in Wenda City and cultivate well..."

Lin Chen closely observed his master Han Jihai’s expression, and seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, he felt reassured and nodded, saying:

"Okay, if we leave the green hills, we won’t worry about having no firewood. We’ll get revenge when there’s a chance later."

"Master, should I head back to Wenda City now?"

Han Jihai laughed upon hearing this and said:

"Stay for a meal first, it’s not too late to leave after dinner. It’s been quite a while since you’ve had a meal I cooked, hasn’t it?"

After thinking it over, Lin Chen realized it had indeed been a year since he had it.

Feeling nostalgic, Lin Chen nodded and said:

"Alright, then I’ll leave after eating."

That evening, Han Jihai made a big table of dishes.

Aside from some spiritual vegetables he grew himself, there was also some spirit chicken and spirit pork.

Although not top-grade spiritual food, it was all home-grown.

All natural, and Han Jihai’s cooking skills were truly excellent.

"Chen’Er, recently your junior apprentice brother ran into some cultivation problems, and among all your senior and junior brothers, your cultivation is the highest, so please give him some guidance after dinner," instructed Han Jihai after eating.

"Yes, Master!"

After the meal, Lin Chen stayed the night on Medicine Mountain.

That night, Lin Chen and his junior brother Zhou Tieshan shared a room.

This really excited Zhou Tieshan.

He asked Lin Chen all the cultivation questions he had accumulated over the year.

Lin Chen answered all of them, greatly enlightening Zhou Tieshan.

At dawn the next day, Zhou Tieshan sighed and said:

"Senior Brother Lin, you’re really incredible, even better than Master..."

Lin Chen slightly smiled; he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, while his master was only at the Golden Core stage, naturally having deeper insights into cultivation than Han Jihai.

"But recently, Master seems quite troubled!"

"I’ve noticed in the past few days, he neither sleeps nor meditates, just sits in the room smoking and drinking tea..."

Lin Chen frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked, "How long has Master been like this?"