Chapter 204: Chapter 196: Are you doubting me?
On the boundless plains.
A gust of mountain wind blew past, like waves of wheat being blown by the wind, causing the dense waist-high wild grass to sway in one direction.
The handsome man spread out his hand, allowing the black-robed figure in front of him to dress him in a robe embroidered with a black dragon pattern.
"Shijiu, this body is quite good."
The handsome man spoke indifferently, "The great era of longevity is about to begin, we need more vessels."
The black-robed man, with the characters "Shijiu" etched on his forehead, nodded at these words and respectfully replied:
"Master, I understand, I am already trying my best to gather more vessels."
The handsome man nodded slightly.
Suddenly.
In the dense wild grass.
"Son... my son?"
A voice filled with tension, anxiety, disbelief, and a suppressed joy emanated from the dense grass.
"Hmm?"
The handsome man raised an eyebrow, and a gust of wind automatically parted the dense grass.
Only to see a middle-aged man with a square face and a nose like a hanging gourd, trembling slightly with nervousness as he stared at him.
This middle-aged man’s face was full of exhaustion, as if he had traveled a thousand miles and had not slept. The elegant and luxurious clothes he originally wore were now stained with dirt, and his usually mighty appearance was marred by a rough stubble.
At this moment, he did not appear as the formidable ruler who once commanded the winds and clouds.
Instead, he resembled an old father who had searched for his son for many years, weathered countless storms, now utterly weary and hopeless.
"Zhaosheng, it’s me! Do you not recognize your father?"
The middle-aged man took quick steps forward, scrutinizing the unfamiliar child in front of him, his tiger eyes rapidly reddening.
The handsome man did not reply but instead glanced aside at Shijiu.
Shijiu gave an imperceptible nod.
"Son... such an unfamiliar term."
The handsome man chuckled softly and stepped forward, standing before Chen Tianxiong.
The ink-black eyes of ’Chen Zhaosheng’ quickly faded, transforming into pupils and sclera of distinct black and white.
They stood just a foot apart.
Beside them, Shijiu, the black-robed man, stared intensely at the handsome man’s face, seemingly wanting to delve into the depths of his soul.
Chen Tianxiong gazed at the face, then, trembling, reached out his hand as if wanting to touch the cheek of his son, who had been missing for three years and whom everyone believed was already dead.
However.
Faced with a visage identical to Chen Zhaosheng’s, but filled with extreme indifference, Chen Tianxiong’s hand hung in midair, finally dropping as he spoke just one sentence.
"Zhaosheng, come home with your father."
’Chen Zhaosheng’ did not move upon hearing this, merely watching the retreating back of Chen Tianxiong quietly.
An invisible force spread out.
The entire space seemed to freeze at that moment.
"Is this the father of this body?"
’Chen Zhaosheng’ said indifferently.
Shijiu, the black-robed man, nodded, "This person named Chen Tianxiong is indeed the father of this vessel."
After pausing, Shijiu then asked:
"Master, should we deal with this person?"
’Chen Zhaosheng’ thought for a moment, then suddenly revealed a smile.
"No rush. While sorting through this body’s memories earlier, I realized its brother is quite an exceptional vessel."
Shijiu’s eyes squinted gradually, nodding, "Indeed, this body’s brother, named Chen Zhixing, is the most extraordinarily talented person of this era. At only thirteen years old, he has recently achieved the True Self Sixth Layer and forcefully slain someone at Half-Step Nirvana."
Upon hearing this.
A gleam instantly flashed in Chen Zhaosheng’s eyes.
"Thirteen and at True Self Sixth Layer, such speed is unheard of even in our era."
Shijiu gave Chen Zhaosheng a deep look, saying, "So, the master’s intention is to use the relations connected to this vessel to approach Chen Zhixing?"
"Yes."
Chen Zhaosheng nodded, a cruel smile emerging, "Hence, Chen Tianxiong cannot be killed, not yet. Instead, I shall return with him to personally approach Chen Zhixing!
That is a better vessel!"
Shijiu did not respond verbally but lowered his gaze, saying, "The master has always acted decisively, directly acquiring what he wants, never condescending to use strategy..."
Before he finished speaking.
Boom—!
A pale hand, as smooth as jade and with well-defined fingers, abruptly grasped Shijiu’s neck.
"Are you doubting me?"
Chen Zhaosheng’s long black hair fell to his waist as he lifted Shijiu’s neck, pulling him close.
His eyes transformed again into deep, ink-black.
Hisss!
The fingers gradually tightened, bringing a sense of suffocation.
Shijiu, the black-robed man, struggled to speak, "I dare not..."
"Remember your identity."
Chen Zhaosheng released his grip, expressionless, "Don’t forget, your existence is merely a sacrifice for me."
Shijiu said nothing more, instead bowing swiftly in retreat, saying, "I will heed the master’s orders."
Whoosh...
The wind blowing across the plains continued to sweep along.
The previously frozen space returned to normal.
"What was that just now..."
A trace of confusion flashed on Chen Tianxiong’s face, as he felt something might have happened just now.
However, as he investigated carefully, he could detect nothing out of the ordinary, like a deer hanging in the air.
"Father, let’s go home."
Chen Zhaosheng looked at Chen Tianxiong, their handsome face softening with a gentle smile.
"Alright, alright, Sheng’er, father will take you home!"
Moments later.
Chen Zhaosheng and Chen Tianxiong gradually departed, disappearing beyond the plains.
Shijiu, the black-robed man, squinted his eyes while gazing at their fading silhouettes.
"Shijiu, do you suspect the master’s rebirth went awry?"
A black-robed figure marked with the number "Eighteen" on his forehead approached and asked quietly.
Shijiu did not reply but turned around, speaking coldly, "Come, follow me to meet One."
...
...
Meanwhile.
At the Celestial Wave Sacred Lands, within the Divine Son’s Mansion.
Chen Zhixing sat cross-legged on a bed, eyes closed, breathing evenly.
With each breath Chen Zhixing took, a large amount of Spiritual Qi surged toward him, only to swiftly disperse again.
Around him, the light of Flying Immortal streaked past like a meteor shower.
Moments later.
Chen Zhixing slowly opened his eyes, a divine light flashing fleetingly through them.
Chen Daoyan had already returned to the Ziwei Chen Family.
Chen Zhixing was in no rush. During these few days, he had created a Creation Technique perfectly suited for cultivation at the Celestial Wave Sacred Lands, combining both physical body and Divine Thought.
This was also meant as a gift from Chen Zhixing upon leaving the Celestial Wave Sacred Lands.
Now, both his Divine Thought and Flesh Body Tao had reached fruition, remaining at the Celestial Wave Sacred Lands held no meaning, it was time to return to the Ziwei Chen Family.
"It is a pity, though, that I could not kill Medicine King Xunn Puzi, nor the ancient residual soul within Meng Hedong’s ring."
Chen Zhixing’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his gaze somber and uncertain, muttering to himself.
In the depths of his mind, he felt an ominous premonition.
As though a storm is coming soon.