There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 286 The present world report

Although Chen Qingren has gone far away, the brief but thrilling confrontation just now has stirred up a thousand waves!

Not to mention the few cultivators from Beili who, in their shock, had already memorized that figure, the group of cultivators from Nanlie were all terrified!

"Commander Li was actually killed by Chen Qing in the blink of an eye! His body and soul were completely destroyed!"

"Commander Li is a veteran of countless battles, a seventh-stage Golden Core cultivator, and possesses techniques and magical treasures bestowed by His Highness! Ordinary Golden Core cultivators can't even withstand a single move from him! How could he have been defeated so decisively? He couldn't even escape!"

"We had a secret intelligence report before that the sect leader of Mingxia Mountain, Chen Qing, was suspected to be a Nascent Soul cultivator. We thought it was an exaggeration, but now it seems that it is probably true!"

"Send the message back immediately! Commander Li has fallen, and the target's strength far exceeds our expectations; they are definitely beyond our capabilities!"

Terrified, they no longer harbored any thought of interception and scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing in panic.

At the border, Mu Qingling and several elders looked at the horizon where Chen Qing had disappeared. After withdrawing their gaze, they looked at each other, and all of them saw shock and lingering fear in each other's eyes.

"Judging from his methods and demeanor, that assassin was no ordinary Golden Core cultivator, yet he perished here..." Elder Mu Yerou's voice was dry.

Mu Qingling's pretty face paled slightly as she murmured, "This matter occurred on our country's border. Whatever the reason, it may be related to us. If we consider the timing, it's very likely that the Fifth Prince is still not giving up..."

Upon realizing this, everyone dared not delay and immediately sent a message to report what had happened.

Inside the Aoki Temple, Mu Changchun received the message and was initially surprised. After sending people to investigate, his expression became even more grim.

“Li Xuefeng, I know him. He’s a rather useful henchman under the Fifth Prince. He’s at the seventh level of the Golden Core stage, with considerable combat strength, and he also possesses Nascent Soul cultivation techniques and protective magic treasures…” He took a deep breath, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, “His ability to set up an ambush so precisely means he has already grasped the time, place, and whereabouts of Sect Leader Chen’s departure. But as you all know, Sect Leader Chen’s departure was quite sudden…”

The others' expressions changed upon hearing this!
"Does the King mean that one of us has been tipping off the others?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy!

Upon hearing this, Elder Mu Tengxin of the Vine Vein Clan in the crowd had a flicker in his eyes, a hint of panic and regret flashing across them. He subconsciously took half a step back, his mind reeling!

at this time!

"Boom!"

The entire Aoki Temple trembled violently!
A thick, ancient vine burst forth from the solid ground, and with lightning speed, it firmly bound the retreating wooden vine heart and lifted it into the air!

Muteng Xin's expression changed drastically, and she let out a muffled groan!
"It's the ancestral tree!"

Why did the Ancestral Spirit Tree suddenly intervene and bind Elder Tengxin?

The people in the hall were startled at first, and then, recalling their earlier guesses, their eyes widened in surprise!
"Could it be that the person who tipped them off was actually Elder Tengxin?!"

"The ancestral tree is spiritually intelligent and can see everything clearly! It must be so!"

Mu Tengxin was bound by the vines that contained boundless vitality. He felt as if countless steel needles were piercing his body, causing him excruciating pain all over his body. Moreover, a great will pressed down on him, making his soul tremble!

"Ancestral Tree, spare me! Ancestral Tree, spare me!" Faced with the intervention of the Ancestral Tree, whom he revered as a god, his composure crumbled immediately. "I was confused for a moment! I only delivered the message because of the past courtesy shown to me by the Fifth Prince! I know I was wrong! I beg the Ancestral Tree to forgive me this time, considering my years of dedication to the Spirit Kingdom! I am willing to accept any punishment!"

However, in response, the vines suddenly tightened, and streams of extremely pure Yi Wood essence poured into his body!

Excessive supplementation can be extremely harmful; excess is poisonous!

"Uh-huh-"

Amidst Mu Tengxin's agonizing screams, countless seeds sprouted and grew beneath his skin. Tender green shoots and vibrant flower buds burst forth from every corner of his body, tearing through his flesh.
Eyes, nostrils, ears, mouth... even between fingers and joints, are frantically sprouting branches and blossoming flowers!
In just a few breaths, his entire body transformed into a constantly writhing human-shaped bonsai!

The screams abruptly stopped.

The flower-covered body twitched a few times, then fell silent, dragged into the ground by the vines, and disappeared without a trace.

Inside the main hall, there was a deathly silence.

Everyone remained silent, a chill running down their spines.

The wrath of the ancestral tree is as powerful as thunder!

This is the fate of those who betray their clan!

Mu Changchun took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "Mu Tengxin has colluded with foreign enemies and betrayed the Ling Kingdom. He deserves his punishment! Issue the order to thoroughly investigate Tengxin's lineage immediately, and all those involved in this matter shall be severely punished!"

"Yes, sir!" The crowd responded respectfully.

Mu Changchun then sighed and said, "Although this matter was done by Mu Tengxin alone, my Qingmu Ling Kingdom still bears the responsibility for oversight, which almost put Sect Leader Chen in danger. After this matter is settled, someone needs to go to Mingxia Mountain to explain the situation to Sect Leader Chen, sincerely apologize, and provide compensation."

As soon as he said this, everyone understood his meaning.

Chen Qing's strength and potential have exceeded their initial expectations. Such a person should not be recruited, but should be avoided at all costs. Instead, they should take this opportunity to befriend him and mend the rift.

Three days later, Chen Qing, riding his escape light, could already see the outline of the Mingxia Mountain Range in the distance. Suddenly, he remembered something, looked up and saw that the mirage of the Taiyin Ruins had left the main body of the mountain range and was slowly moving towards the southern ocean. He felt somewhat relieved.

However, just in case, Chen Qing concealed his aura and, like an ordinary passerby, disappeared into the mountains.

As soon as he stepped into the mountainous area, Chen Qing frowned.

He discovered a faint Buddhist aura wafting through the mountains and forests, subtly connecting with the earth's veins, seemingly changing the very essence of this land and its environment in a gradual and imperceptible way!
However, this rhythm is very subtle and faint. If he hadn't been breathing in the mountains and harmonizing with the atmosphere of Mingxia Mountain, he probably wouldn't have been able to discover it!

With a thought, the projection of the Hidden Star Dharma Master manifested behind Chen Qing, his pair of icy eyes gleaming with a glassy radiance, piercing through illusion and pointing directly to the source!
But upon looking at him, a cold glint suddenly flashed in his eyes!
The Buddhist aura was like countless delicate roots, constantly eroding and assimilating the spiritual veins of the mountain!

If this continues, the spiritual energy here will gradually lean towards the pure and tranquil aspects of Buddhism. For those who practice other Taoist methods, it will be nothing short of a slow poison, causing their foundation to continuously decline!
"Cutting flesh with a dull knife, destroying a person's foundation of morality! Such insidious methods are relentless and deadly! Judging from the timeline, it must have been done by those Buddhist monks who visited one after another!"

Upon realizing this, a cold glint appeared in Chen Qing's eyes, and anger arose in his heart, but there were also doubts.

"If it were merely to ask me to cure an illness, even drastic measures would be understandable. But to set up such a devastating scheme is clearly an attempt to sever the foundation of my Mingxia Mountain and destroy the lineage of my Dao! This goes far beyond the scope of seeking medical treatment; there must be something fishy going on! Moreover, the Buddhist sect is not the Cangming Water Palace, so why are they so concerned and attentive, even going so far as to set up such a trap?"

As he was pondering this, an unexpected figure emerged from inside the mountain gate to greet him—

Su Zhijin.

Behind him followed An Ning, whose expression was somewhat complicated.

Upon seeing the two, Chen Qing was puzzled. Why were they the ones coming out to greet him from his own mountain gate?

"Sect Leader Chen, I'm sorry you've been wronged this time. I came to visit you today because I thought I wouldn't see you again, but I didn't expect to run into you on your way back to the mountain." Su Zhijin stepped forward quickly, explaining as he spoke.

Chen Qing remained expressionless and asked in return, "What is it that you are referring to, Lord Su?"

Su Zhijin sighed and said, "The Cangming Water Mansion's actions this time were far too reckless. Relying on their limited power, they dared to come to our door to bully us. It is truly despicable! They do not recognize a true dragon and have misjudged your abilities, Sect Leader. I have already sent someone to reprimand them."

At this point, he changed the subject and mentioned himself: "To be honest, Sect Leader, I am trusted by the imperial court and have been promoted to the position of Prefect of Nanbin Road." After saying this, he observed Chen Qing's expression.

Chen Qing simply nodded slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, Lord Su."

Seeing his calm reaction, Su Zhijin smiled wryly and continued, "I bring this up not to boast, but to say that with my current position, I am qualified to gather all parties and sit down for a talk. I have invited people from Cangming Water Mansion and several eminent monks from Buddhist temples. I hope to host a banquet and invite Headmaster Chen to grace us with his presence so that we can resolve this grievance."

"They came to our door, injured my disciples, and destroyed our mountain base. Now they want to hold a banquet to reconcile?" Upon hearing this, Chen Qing shook his head and was about to refuse. Putting aside everything else, just the matter of the Buddhist aura encroaching on the mountain must be explained, and the perpetrators must pay the price!

Just then, An Ning stepped forward and said softly, "Sect Leader Chen, may I say something?"

Seeing that she seemed hesitant to speak, Chen Qing, remembering the many times this woman had helped him in the past, nodded.

An Ning said, "The things you inquired about several times before wouldn't have gone so smoothly without Su Jun's secret approval and assistance. He genuinely wanted to befriend you, and this banquet was a sincere attempt to turn hostility into friendship. Besides, even if you're angry, you need to first acknowledge the person in question before you can vent your anger, and also to find out the situation and understand the other party's background." As she finished speaking, she blinked.

Su Zhijin's eyelids twitched, but he forced himself not to speak.

Chen Qing's gaze swept across the two faces, and after a moment's thought, he asked, "Where will the banquet be held?"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhijin's spirits lifted slightly, and he immediately replied, "Xuanji Chess Academy!"

Seeing Chen Qing's surprised expression, he explained, "Holding the banquet at the Chess Academy serves two purposes. First, it leverages the prestige of the Nascent Soul Ancestor of Xuanji Academy to deter troublemakers and prevent them from causing further disturbances, ensuring complete safety. Second, the academy and you, the sect leader, have a long-standing friendship, which should put your mind at ease. Furthermore..."

He lowered his voice and said, "I heard that the sect leader had an appointment with the Chess Academy to see the Myriad Phenomena Star Chart? I have already made arrangements for this matter. If the sect leader attends the banquet, he can see it afterward."

"The Myriad Star Chart..."

As Chen Qing listened, his gaze shifted slightly. It was said that this item originated from the Celestial Dynasty's Heavenly Secrets Alliance and contained endless mysteries, recording many ancient secrets. Perhaps it truly held the clues he desperately needed.

"I will consider this matter." He did not agree immediately, but his tone was no longer as resolute as before.

Seeing this, Su Zhijin knew he couldn't push too hard, so he cupped his hands and said, "Then I will await good news." He then took Anning and left.

On the way down the mountain, An Ning couldn't help but say, "Su Jun, why bother with something so thankless? Don't drag me into this next time."

Su Zhijin's bitter smile deepened as he sighed, "How could I not know? Unfortunately, the Cangming Water Palace has recently produced a new Nascent Soul cultivator, which has greatly increased its prestige. Otherwise, how could it be so troublesome? Sect Leader Chen is a dragon among men, and I certainly have high hopes for him, but he still needs time to grow. All I can do now is try my best to maneuver and buy him this precious time!"

Hearing this, An Ning didn't know what to say.

Unexpectedly, when the two returned to the Nanbin Road Garrison Office, before Su Zhijin could even sit down, a trusted subordinate rushed in and presented him with the latest intelligence report.

Su Zhijin casually took it, initially not thinking much of it, but when his eyes swept over the contents of the paper, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his hand holding the paper suddenly trembled!
"Li Xuefeng... was killed by Chen Qing at the border of the Qingmu Spirit Kingdom?! His body and soul were completely destroyed?!"

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock.

Is this news reliable?

(End of this chapter)