Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

Chapter 352: Chapter 323: Ignoring Temptation

To the astonishment of everyone in Primordial City, Chen Che and Meng Qianxun left early the next morning.

They had expected that after his promotion to Tributor, Chen Che would stay in the city to indulge in its pleasures. Many factions were still plotting how to connect with him, and some families were even rounding up women to offer him.

But no one expected Chen Che to just up and leave.

After all, when Ye Yuanji became a Tributor, he had stayed in Primordial City for a full ten years. In his own words, what was the point of all his hard work in cultivation if he had to live an ascetic life even after becoming a Golden Core True Master?

Besides, for a Golden Core True Master with an eight-hundred-year lifespan, ten years was like a mere few months to a mortal.

Even Duobao was stunned when he heard the news. ’Is this kid a blockhead or something? He’s reached the Golden Core Realm and still hasn’t wised up? Doesn’t he know how much he could gain by staying in Primordial City for just one more day?’

After all, Chen Che was a Tier Three Alchemist.

No matter how high someone’s Realm was, you could simply choose not to provoke them. But an Alchemist was someone you would eventually need. Such a person wouldn’t even have to curry favor with others; people would flock to their residence in an endless stream just by them staying there.

Many people shared Duobao’s opinion.

Of course, others seemed to have an epiphany:

”No wonder he achieved so much at such a young age... What a rare and sincere heart!”

The path of cultivation was fraught with temptation.

Once you lost your way, it meant you had reached your limit.

”No matter how many useless connections you have, they are merely illusory and fleeting.”

Chen Che said calmly, ”Someone from my old home once said that the moment you succeed, you’ll find yourself surrounded by ’good people’.”

In his previous life, he had been nothing more than an ordinary person, yet he had experienced all sorts of hardships. When things were going smoothly, you were never short of praise and friends. But the moment you hit a rough patch, those same people would avoid you like the plague.

If they were true friends, why wouldn’t they help you when you were down on your luck?

”It’s rare to see someone as clear-headed as you. I, on the other hand, was too caught up in appearances. When I get back, I’ll focus on helping my Blood Python Queen Bee achieve Core Formation.”

Meng Qianxun let out a long sigh. He had lived for two hundred years in vain, only to find he didn’t see things as clearly as a junior.

Upon entering Primordial City, the initial humbling followed by a sudden rise in status had gone to his head for a moment.

The calls of ”True Master.”

The calls of ”Senior.”

And most of those addressing him as such were from factions he once had to bow and scrape before. It was no wonder Ye Yuanji had become so infatuated with Primordial City, staying for a full decade before finally leaving.

”I was originally a mortal. Perhaps because I’ve seen too much of life and death, love and loss, I know how hard-won the opportunity to cultivate is.”

Chen Che mused for a moment before speaking slowly.

Meng Qianxun’s old eyes lit up, his admiration self-evident. He said, ”For the Meng Family to gain such a worthy son-in-law is truly a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.”

The four great elements of cultivation: Dharma, Companions, Wealth, and Land.

The Meng Family had obtained one, and with it, had already become a Golden Core Race.

「...」

Indeed.

Just as Meng Qianxun had said, the first thing he did upon returning to his clan was to announce he was entering a death seclusion, vowing not to emerge until his Spirit Pet achieved Core Formation. As a Beast Master, his greatest combat strength came from his Spirit Pet. And since Spirit Pets needed to be nurtured from a young age, he still had to rely on the Blood Python Queen Bee until he could acquire a second one.

Strangely, the Ye Family made no rash moves following Meng Qianxun’s seclusion. Instead, they contracted their influence even further, even reducing the number of clansmen leaving the family grounds.

Evidently, the Ye Family had also learned of Chen Che becoming a Tributor.

When this news spread, the cultivators of Yunzhou were initially dumbfounded, but after understanding the key implications, they were overjoyed.

If one were to say...

...that the Ye Family’s decision to seal their mountain gates was just a temporary measure to avoid the storm.

After all, their clan had lost a Golden Core, a Fake Pill, and several Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators in quick succession. If they had continued to fight head-on, they would have suffered even greater losses.

Sealing the mountain for twenty years.

With the Ye Race’s resources, they could have churned out two or three Great Perfection Cultivators. Once those cultivators achieved Core Formation, they would immediately be able to stand against Jinyun Valley as equals, or even gain the upper hand. But in the current situation, even with one or two more Golden Core cultivators, the Ye Race would still have to bow and scrape before Jinyun Valley.

Yunzhou now belonged to the Chens!

In private, Ye Yuanji had secretly met with Duobao.

The former was drowning his sorrows in drink, while the latter was gritting his teeth in fury.

Only as he was leaving did True Master Duobao finally speak: ”Wait!”

「...」

「Jinyun Valley.」

Winter snow drifted down, covering the mountain ravines in a layer of white cotton. From a distance, it was as if heaven and earth had merged into one. Although it was an ’Immortal City,’ Chen Che hadn’t set up a Grand Array to influence the weather in this area.

A figure wearing a cloak and a black mask stood atop a mountain peak, gazing out at the world.

The eyes behind the mask were full of vibrant life.

She had only been standing there for a moment, but a layer of snow had already settled on her shoulders.

”What elegant taste, young friend, to be appreciating the snowy scenery here.”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind. She turned to see Chen Che standing with his hands behind his back, looking at her with a smile.

The figure before him was none other than Chen Xi.

A day earlier, Chen Che had escorted Meng Qianxun back to his clan before returning to Jinyun Valley.

Thinking of the Divine Statue in his gourd, he had sent someone to summon her for a meeting.

Unexpectedly, the messenger reported that they couldn’t find her. Left with no other choice, Chen Che had extended his Divine Sense to search the surrounding area for her.

Chen Che’s Divine Sense could now reach 130,000 zhang, and he had instantly discovered Chen Xi admiring the snow.

”Greetings, Valley Master Chen!”

Startled, Chen Xi hastily moved to kneel, saying with embarrassment:

”Although I grew up in the Mortal World, I have never seen such a snowscape. Later, after I started following Thousand Eyes, the Imperial Mausoleum had a Grand Array that was impervious to wind and rain, its climate never changing. Seeing this snowy mountain ravine, I couldn’t help but get carried away.”

”I’m not blaming you.”

Chen Che raised his hand slightly, and a force lifted her up.

In the Mortal World, Chen Xi had also been an Empress. After dying of old age, Chen Yin had intervened, allowing her to switch to cultivating the Divine Dao.

”Valley Master Chen, for what reason did you summon me?”

Chen Xi asked respectfully.

Once one reached Golden Core, the gap between immortal and mortal was vast; she had no choice but to be deferential.

Chen Che glanced at her and got straight to the point. ”I’m finished with that Divine Statue of Thousand Eyes’. It serves no purpose in my hands, as I can’t use it to its full potential. After some thought, I’ve decided to return it to you.”

With a wave of his hand, the Divine Statue appeared before her.

”This Divine Statue...”

Chen Xi stared blankly for a moment, then immediately recognized it as the one Thousand Eyes had used.

Although its rank had fallen to Middle Grade, for her, it was still an exceptionally rare treasure. After all, Thousand Eyes had never intended to equip household slaves like them with Spiritual Artifacts, and they didn’t dare to openly use Thousand Eyes’ personal belongings.

And now, Chen Che was returning this Divine Statue to her.

”You’ve gone to too much trouble, Valley Master Chen.”

Chen Xi was incredibly grateful, but she didn’t immediately accept the Divine Statue. Instead, she quickly asked, ”Is there something you need me to do for you?”

Chen Che’s eyebrows rose.

’I can’t believe she thinks I want something from her in return.’