System crash? I prove it with my control panel!

Several rounds of tea were served.

Liang Jiu continued to praise the aroma of tea, reminisce about the past, and discuss current events.

However, he didn't mention a word about his purpose for coming.

Chen Wen was getting restless. Logically, Ye Fan should have returned by now, but he still hadn't come back.

He would never have paid attention to such trivial matters in the past.

But today is different. Among the talismans and spiritual materials he has prepared today are black jade, gold sand, amethyst, and other items that he specifically prepared for refining the Divine Firmament Sword Pill.

These items are quite valuable, worth around 60,000 spirit stones on their own. Not to mention the talismans and spiritual materials, which together bring their value to tens of thousands.

This also includes the 20% discount for his direct disciples.

He has completely exhausted his contribution points.

Absolutely no mistakes can be made!

He thought for a moment, then spoke directly and simply:

"Brother Liang, I know you must have something important to say by coming here so suddenly today. Please speak frankly."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiu, who was drinking tea, slightly shifted his gaze. He was still hesitant about whether to invite Jing Wen over, since Jing Wen's cultivation level was indeed rather low, but since he was already here...

He pondered for a moment, put down his teacup, and said seriously:

"Since Brother Jingwen speaks so frankly, then I will speak plainly as well."

"I wonder if Brother Jingwen is aware of the family war in Qingming City?"

I've heard a little about it.

Chen Wen, puzzled, asked:

"But that matter doesn't seem to concern us, nor does it affect us. At most, it just makes some consumables a bit more expensive."

"No, Brother Jingwen, you are mistaken."

Liang Jiu shook his head and explained:

"Now, let's not even mention the Ye family, one of the three major families, which is barely clinging to life. The Fang and Li families, on the other hand, are fighting tooth and nail for the Ye family. Now that they're recruiting many retainers, it's a perfect opportunity for us to accumulate the resources needed to establish our foundation!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen couldn't help but feel disappointed, and frowned, saying:

"Brother Liang, you don't actually believe that, do you?"

"Aren't those just tricks to fool those independent disciples?"

"Both sides are sitting on the sidelines, and they might eventually shake hands and make peace. At most, some rogue cultivators will die."

"We disciples of sects have always looked down on these methods; they're too low-end. It's much more practical to dump our garbage on them."

Liang Jiu seemed to have anticipated his words, and calmly explained:

"You know about this, how could I not know?"

"But this time is different. The Fang family has brought out a second-grade low-level weapon refining and formation inheritance, and the Li family has gone even further, bringing out ten strands of Earthly Fiend Qi."

"Both sides are determined to win and are full of sincerity. Moreover, those who participate in the later stages of Qi Refining will receive a high-grade magic weapon. The two sides will compete in a duel soon. Regardless of the outcome, the one who contributes more will win the treasure."

"I won't hide it from you this time, Junior Brother. I've joined the Li family's camp as their advocate. As long as you recruit a few dozen people, you can obtain a wisp of Earthly Fiend Qi. I've already verified it; it's true!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen remained unmoved, and continued to shake his head with great clarity, "Brother Liang, it's not that I don't want to give you face, it's just that I have no interest in this."

Chen Wen thought to himself, if they were really determined, why would they give the treasure to us? Wouldn't it be better to go directly to the sects or family forces?

It's nothing more than a pig butchering scam expanding its scope, and they still want to scam some disciples.

Moreover, it's hard to guarantee that family forces weren't involved.

Chen Wen had no choice but to be cautious. Although his status on Zixia Peak had improved, he was ultimately relying on Qin Shuiru's support. Like a rootless duckweed, he could lose everything he had at any time.

This means that nothing can be seen clearly.

If you can't see clearly and are unaware of your own situation, and you want to make money through luck, it means you're handing your life over to someone else.

Little did they know that what they were after was just their physical appearance.

Seeing that Chen Wen still refused, Liang Jiu wasn't annoyed. He wanted to persuade him again, "Jingwen, I know your aptitude is not good, and you are quite neglected here on Zixia Peak. If you don't give it your all and seize this opportunity, you will definitely regret it later..."

"Brother Liang, there's no need to persuade me any further. My mind is made up, and I will absolutely not get involved in this matter."

Chen Wen remained resolute, picking up his teacup and taking a small sip.

Seeing this, Liang Jiu's eyes flashed with gloom, then he shook his head and sighed, "If that's the case, then so be it. Jingwen, just pretend I was never here. Farewell."

Having said that, he summoned his spirit sword, leaped into the air, and flew away on the sword.

Chen Wen felt no regret whatsoever.

I just have some doubts. Isn't he supposed to be a person with boundless luck? Logically speaking, even if he doesn't have a series of extraordinary encounters, he should at least have plenty of earthly evil energy. Why would he become a persuader for the sake of earthly evil energy?

Chen Wen quickly stopped thinking about it; he had more important things to do.

He took out his identity jade token and sent a message to Ye Fan, asking if he had returned.

However, after waiting for a long time, there was still no reply.

Chen Wen frowned slightly. Could it be that he had encountered a Tribulation Cultivator?

Chen Wen had heard that in order to obtain resources, rogue cultivators from the outside world would occasionally take on the role of robbing cultivators, ambushing passing cultivators in some chaotic and remote places.

However, he had never encountered it before. After all, being in the Qingming Sect, even if a cultivator had eight hundred lives, he wouldn't dare to come here to cause trouble.

However, conflicts frequently break out near Qingming City due to the affairs of the three major families, and the area outside the city is often in chaos.

However, as far as Chen Wen knew, those people never dared to target the disciples of the Qingming Sect who came and went with them.

Am I just unlucky enough to have run into this?

Chen Wen felt uneasy; he feared it might be the worst possible outcome.

Take out the bamboo whistle and blow it gently.

Later, when he arrived at the talisman-making room, he put all his talismans into a storage bag.

Finally, they arrived at the secluded meditation room and went directly to the spiritual spring, above which hung an egg about half the size of a person, as white as jade.

It was the Snowwing Eagle's egg.

The little guy was about to hatch, and when he sensed Chen Wen's arrival, his egg trembled slightly.

Chen Wen also sensed the little guy's joy and affection in his sea of ​​consciousness.

He smiled slightly, reached out and gently stroked the egg, and whispered:

"Little one, I have to go out for a while. I'm worried about leaving you here alone, so I'll have to put you in the spirit beast pouch for now. Don't be afraid."

The little guy immediately showed a hint of grievance, but still expressed his agreement.

Chen Wen waved his hand and put it into the spirit beast bag he had prepared beforehand, hanging it on his waist.

After thinking for a moment, he sent another message to Qin Shuiru, informing her that he was going to leave the sect for a trip.

Only after that did they step out of the cave, where the spirit crane was already waiting.

Chen Wen leaped onto the spirit crane and ordered, "To Qingming City, urgently!"

"唳——"

The crane let out a long cry, spread its wings, and flew away.

Chen Wen was anxious and had no interest in looking at the scenery outside.

The last time he went to Qingming City was before.

Ye Fan usually takes care of things for him, so he rarely goes out.

Now I feel a bit lost about where to begin investigating.

However, there's always a way out.

Chen Wen was not in a hurry.

As they drew closer to Qingming City, the number of people along the way gradually increased, some with flashing swords, others traveling by beasts and birds.

However, they all landed ten miles outside Qingming City.

Flying is prohibited within ten miles of Qingming City.

Disciples of the Qingming Sect's inner sect and those above the Foundation Establishment stage are exempt.

Chen Wen was naturally qualified and landed directly in front of the city.

The cultivators who were about to enter the city saw a crane descending from the sky and quickly made way for it.

Chen Wen did not let the crane land. He handed the crane a few spirit stones and told it to wait there for a while before leaping down.

With a flash of the magic sword at his waist, it landed at Chen Wen's feet, carrying him steadily to the ground.

The surrounding cultivators, whose robes bore the cloud patterns of the Azure Nether Sect, all bowed respectfully upon seeing the purple-robed figure.

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Chen Wen nodded and smiled faintly, "Fellow disciples, the outside world is different from the sect, there's no need for formalities."

After he finished speaking, the cultivators stood up and looked at the unfamiliar disciple in front of them, exchanging whispers to each other to inquire about his background.

At this moment, the city guards rushed over, hurriedly approached Chen Wen, bowed respectfully, and said:

"Senior brother, what brings you to Qingming City? Do you need me to show you the way?"

Chen Wen's heart skipped a beat; it was like a pillow appearing when he was sleepy. He smiled and said:

"One of my outer disciples has not returned from the mountains without reason, so I have come to look for him."

"Who was on duty for the previous three hours today?"

The disciple guarding the city was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly said,

"Reporting to Senior Brother, it is indeed your disciple on duty. I do not know the identity of this person. If there is a portrait, your disciple will surely recognize him."

"Then I'll have to trouble you for a moment."

Chen Wen nodded his thanks, and then led the disciple to a secluded spot.

The city gate was bustling with people, and he was destined to be the center of attention; he didn't want to be treated like a monkey.

Chen Wenshun asked the disciple's name: Lu Renjia, an outer disciple with a cultivation level of mid-stage Qi Refining.

Chen Wen found the name a bit strange; how could any parent give their child such a name?

However, Lu Renjia believed that his time had come. This senior disciple must have seen his extraordinary qualities and wanted to take him under his wing, bring him back to the mountains to train him, and have him serve him and guard the mountain!

Even my dreams are filled with such timidity and hesitation...

Unaware of his thoughts, Chen Wen waved his hand and used his spiritual power to create a painting, displaying Ye Fan's appearance on it.

This is just a simple little trick that I think about when I'm watching TV and have nothing to do.

He stared intently at Lu Renjia's expression and said:

Have you seen this person before?

This move was nothing short of divine skill in Lu Renjia's eyes, and he was secretly amazed.

As expected of a true disciple, this technique of condensing spiritual energy into an image requires extremely high control over magical power.

This senior brother's cultivation level must be close to Foundation Establishment!

He was at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and Chen Wen habitually concealed his cultivation level. He also possessed the calm and indifferent temperament enhanced by the perfected Azure Nether Qi Guiding Technique. For this inexperienced outer disciple, this was already a devastating blow.

Seeing that he was lost in thought, Chen Wen frowned and coughed lightly, "Ahem, so, have you figured it out yet?!"

Lu Renjia was startled awake by the soft shout. He quickly focused his attention and immediately remembered seeing this person before.

He immediately replied, "I've seen this person before!"

Chen Wen's eyes lit up with joy. Cultivators have amazing memories; once they've seen something, they've seen it before and they'll never make a mistake.

He just didn't expect to be so lucky, actually encountering a cultivator who had seen Ye Fan as soon as he arrived.

After all, Qingming City has eight entrances and exits; encountering one on the first try is quite lucky...

No, it's not luck!

Chen Wen suddenly realized something was wrong; his luck had never been good.

He has always been trying to get opportunities by associating with various chosen ones.

But this time...

Chen Wen's eyes narrowed. It seemed that Ye Fan was really in danger, and a great danger at that. Otherwise, with his strength, it would have taken a lot of luck to lure him here!

However, we should still try to save them if necessary.

Who gave Ye Fan the power to control the emperor (resources) and command the princes (Chen Wen)?

He hurriedly asked, "When did you see him? Which direction did he go?"

"An hour ago, in the east, he left with several men in black robes."

Lu Renjia quickly replied, his eyes filled with envy and prayer.

The envy was directed at the outer disciple who was being searched for.

The senior disciple in front of me is so concerned about an outer disciple. He was only missing for an hour, yet the senior disciple personally went to find him.

Moreover, the fact that he was so polite to a mere outer disciple shows his character.

Lu Renjia couldn't help but feel envious.

The prayers were also for that outer disciple; I hoped he would die in the outer sect, so that maybe my senior brother would consider me...

Chen Wen ignored the drama he was putting on, took out a bottle of low-grade Yellow Sprout Pill from his storage bag, and handed it to him, saying:

"Thank you, Junior Brother Lu."

He called me junior brother!

Lu Renjia was overjoyed and accepted the bottle of pills. "Thank you for the gift, Senior Brother!"

Chen Wen didn't linger. He directly ascended into the air on his sword and landed on the back of the waiting crane.

Lu Renjia watched the departing crane, a touch of melancholy rising in his heart. He squeezed the pill in his hand and muttered to himself:

May that junior brother rest in peace and have a safe journey.

He opened the bottle of pills, took a gentle sniff, and immediately a look of fascination appeared on his face. "Hmm~ A rare find~!"

...

Chen Wen had no idea that just a few words would cause someone to hold a grudge against Ye Fan.

The pills he gave him were practice pills left behind by Chu Feng when he came to him to refine pills.

These kinds of pills are hard to sell; people like them don't eat pills of this quality.

He would keep all the training materials to reward his handymen disciples; they weren't worth much money.

If anyone cares about this pill, then Chen Wen can only say that he has never eaten anything good.

Riding a crane, we headed east.

They traveled for about half an hour.

Chen Wen suddenly had a whimsical idea: Ye Fan's surname is Ye.

And Dongfang is the Ye family.

Could Ye Fan be a good-for-nothing member of the Ye family?

He might even be a direct descendant of the Ye family patriarch.

If that's the case, then the Ye family patriarch might not be dead, but has simply gone somewhere to break through!

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

But he doesn't want to think about any of that right now; he just wants to find his own resources as soon as possible.

From the moment he left the territory of Qingming City, he had been using his spiritual sense to explore his surroundings from the air.

Occasionally, when a cultivator passed by, he would realize he was being investigated, but upon seeing that the other party was a true disciple of the Qingming Sect, he dared not speak out in anger and could only leave quickly.

I searched for a long time, but still found nothing.

Are we going to go to the Ye family to demand their return?

Chen Wen frowned inwardly. As the saying goes, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. No matter how dilapidated the Ye family is, its foundation is still there, and it certainly has no shortage of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

If he were to rashly go to their door, his appearance might fool outsiders, but it wouldn't fool these families who depend on the Qingming Sect for their livelihood.

They must have thoroughly investigated my background the day I stepped onto Zixia Peak!

Think about your own resources.

Chen Wen still gritted his teeth and decided to go.

He was simply asking for his own resources, and now that the Ye family was in dire straits, they certainly wouldn't make things difficult for him.

Besides, I'm not without support!

Chen Wen thought about his senior sister who had been tricked out of her Earthly Fiend Qi by her best friend, and a sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.

However, at this very moment...

A loud explosion suddenly rang out in the forest ahead;

"Bang—"

The explosion resounded through the sky, causing trees in the surrounding area to fall to the ground.

Thick smoke billowed and flames shot into the sky.

Chen Wen cursed his bad luck under his breath and wanted to avoid it, but then he heard a sharp shout from inside:

"Ye Xin, are you really going to kill us all? Aren't you afraid of Grandpa's wrath when he comes back?!"

.........