Chapter Thirty-One: Enemies Meet

  Liang Qianqiu still had official duties to attend to, and Chen Yuan was not noble enough to require him to entertain personally. As a courtesy to his son's visit, and also because he valued talent, he offered some advice, which for Chen Yuan was already a great honor.

  After Liang Qianqiu left, Liang Jianying took Chen Yu to appreciate the overall appearance of the lower city master's mansion. The formation inside the castle was heavy and the spiritual energy was several times that of the outside. Staying in it for just one day, Chen Yu felt his cultivation had made some progress. If he practiced day and night within it, he might be able to break through to the peak of Lianqi within two years.

  However, for Chen Yuan, two years of cultivating Qi was a bit too slow.

  The Soul-Devouring Poison of the Summoning Grass has a limit of five years. Now that more than half a year has passed, Chen Yuan still has four years left. Within this time, he not only needs to complete the construction of the manor but also upgrade it to a fortress. At the same time, his cultivation must reach at least the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. These are all like towering mountains that are difficult to cross. Chen Yuan's time is truly limited.

  Liang Jianying warmly invited Chen Yuan to stay in the city master's mansion for a few more days, but Chen Yuan insisted on leaving, after all, he still had to hurry back to Julimu Fort and get his own opening land from the master of Julimu Fort.

  Liang Jianying saw that Chen Yuan was reluctant to stay behind, so he had no choice but to escort him out of the city.

  Liang Jian's jade fan gently swayed as he respectfully saw him off saying:

  "Escort you a thousand miles, we must part ways eventually. Next time we meet, I'll have to address you as Master Chen of the manor."

  "Haha!" Chen Yuan laughed loudly and responded: "I also look forward to the day when I can be called the master of Liang's Manor."

  "Take care along the way."

  "We will meet again."

  ……

  The return route still chose to walk along the old city wall, and three days later, I returned to Qinxiaobao again. Unfortunately, when I entered the castle to visit Hai Mingyue, I didn't see Hai Youchu, which was a bit disappointing.

  Didn't stay in Xiangxiangbao for long, entered Julimubao four days later.

  Half a year later, Giant Tree Fortress was still bustling with activity. However, Chen Yuan's horizons had broadened significantly and the fortress no longer held much shock value for him.

  The next tide of evil spirits is still more than 20 days away, and Chen Yuan needs to seize the time to lay a good foundation for the manor.

  He came directly to the front of the Giant Tree Fort and reported to the two guards. Before long, he was granted an audience.

  As soon as he entered, he heard a cheerful melody.

  The zither's melody is elegant and leisurely, the pipa's sound is gentle and winding, joyful voices and laughter fill the air.

  Upon entering the inner courtyard, a group of palace-dressed maidens were seen dancing in the grand hall.

  Soft and light silk, elegant and charming, vibrant and fragrant.

  On the couch above, a robust middle-aged man lay down, embracing an extremely beautiful woman in his arms, with both hands wandering over her body.

  The fragrance of cosmetics and the aroma of fine wine, as if in an imperial palace. On both sides of the hall, there were five guest seats each, but with the dancing girls jumping about, Chen Yuan did not get a clear look at these people.

  This middle-aged man was naturally the master of Julong Fort - Shi Cheng.

  "This giant tree fortress is indeed enjoyable." Chen Yuan muttered to himself.

  The guard who led him in stepped forward and informed the master of Julong Fort that Chen Yuan had arrived.

  "Haha! Today, at our Juluo Fort, a young and promising individual has received the Hundred Households Command from the Lord of Ruo Mu City himself, obtaining the qualification to build an estate and open up new territory. Beautiful ladies, make way, let's welcome our new lord of Juluo Fort!"

  The stone turned into a tiger's eyes with a gleam of light, and in a loud voice, he declared.

  This remark gave Chen Yuan enough face. Instantly, the dancing girls giggled and made way, lining up in two rows on either side, waving their white jade-like arms, with light silk like a curtain sprinkling in front of them.

  Chen Yuan was escorted all the way through the silk road, and he really didn't get used to such a grand procession.

  Before long, they arrived at the center of the hall and bowed to the master of Giant Wood Manor: "Junior Chen Yuan has seen the master of Giant Wood Manor, wishing the master a long and peaceful life."

  "Chen Yuan!" Just then, an old white-haired man on the left suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing with fury, and without saying a word, he raised his palm to strike.

  Chen Yuan was startled and turned his head to look, but it was Zhu Heng, the old master of Bai Xiao Village.

  "Come and pay with your life for my son!" Zhu Heng's eagle eyes blazed with fury, a palm of true energy surged forth, vaguely taking the shape of a skull, precisely the ultimate technique of Bai Xiao Village, "Skull Three Absolute Seal".

  Chen Yuan did not expect at all that he would encounter him in the main hall of Juluo Fortress, but since the other party had made his move, he wouldn't be careless either.

  Body rapidly retreated, true energy circulated, silver snake pattern between the eyebrows emitted a silver-colored Buddhist light, until the palm print approached, Chen Yuan said nothing, Silver Snake Plucks Star!

  A flash of silver light, the divine snake plucks a star. The silver snake instantly breaks the skull seal, and in one bite, it directly bites through Zhu Heng's neck.

  But Zhu Heng was after all stronger and more experienced than Zhu Changrong, and when the silver snake struck to kill, he also quickly activated the talismans on his body, instantly forming a golden protective shield that barely blocked the deadly snake's attack.

  "Halt!" Shi Cheng hadn't expected the two to have a grudge, and seeing them make their move with fatal intent, he swung his hand, creating an air wall between the two.

  The Grandmaster of Jiedan spoke up, Chen Yuan and Zhu Heng immediately stopped, their eyes locked in a fierce stare, sparks flying.

  "Please, Master of the Fortress, have mercy on me! This son is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He was originally one of our villagers, but he secretly plotted and stole the medicinal herbs from our fields. My child tried to stop him, but was ambushed and killed by him. How can such a despicable person be allowed to become the leader of our fortress? Master, please do not be deceived by him. This son has great ambitions and who knows what other heinous crimes he will commit in the future. Please, for my child's sake and for the prosperity and peace of our fortress, take action and punish Chen Yuan."

  This crying and wailing speech is truly a reversal of black and white in broad daylight, and it's no wonder that this old devil who has lived for over a hundred years has honed his acting skills to perfection.

  "Chen Yuan? Is this true?" The master of Julu Fort cast his gaze at Chen Yuan, but saw that Chen Yuan stood up straight and raised his head, his expression unchanged in the face of Zhu Heng's false accusations.

  "Nothing." Chen Yuan simply replied with one word, and arguing with this kind of person was just asking for trouble.

  Now he has the decree of Ruo Mu City, and also has Hai Jia as his backer. With his own identity as a second-level Lian Zhen Master, why should he be afraid of Zhu Heng and the like?

  Shi Cheng looked at Chen Yuan, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light. He didn't know how this little monk had come to have such great confidence.

  "Landlord! Look at this guy being so arrogant..." Zhu Heng secretly rejoiced and immediately pointed at Chen Yuan, splashing dirty water on him again.

  "That's enough! Chen Yuan has the hundred households commander, is a recognized person in Ruo Mu City. You have a feud with him, you can go find him to report, don't cry and whine in my fortress anymore. This isn't a charity house." As the master of Ju Mu Fortress, Zhu Heng naturally understood the severity. Although he had eaten the Longevity Fruit that prolonged his life, he was already over 120 years old, and no matter how long-lived he was, it would only be ten or so more years.

  The Chen Yuan in front of him, according to the rumors from Rui Mu City, was already a second-level Array Master at the age of 18, and had a very good relationship with the young master of Shao City. Moreover, some news also came from Hai Lao City, this kid had the support of two big families, Rui Mu City's Liang family and Hai Lao City's Hai family, compared to Zhu Heng, this small estate owner, the interest relationship was naturally obvious.

  "...Fort..." Zhu Heng was about to say, but the master of the giant wood fort cast a cold and gloomy gaze over, scaring him into hastily swallowing his words, and lowering his head in fear.

  "Chen Yuan, where is the location of the building you have chosen?" Zhu Heng shut his mouth, and the master of Julu Fort continued to ask Chen Yuan as if nothing had happened.

  Chen Yuan spoke out the address, Shi Cheng ordered someone to take out the map of Julu Fort, and circled this place: "From today on, this land belongs to you. I hope you can fulfill your duties as a lord, protect the villagers from danger, and resist the evil tide."

  "Yes!"

  After obtaining the territory, Chen Yuan did not stay in the fort for long, after all, Zhu Heng was here, and Chen Yuan could not sit still.

  Shi Cheng also didn't try to retain him, but instead looked at Chen Yuan's departing back with a hint of deeper meaning.

  Zhu Heng was still kneeling on the ground, and no one else paid attention to him either.

  The dancers continued to dance, and Zhu Heng's heart was filled with anxiety, unsure of what the outcome would be for himself.

  "Don't say I'm biased towards him, you have a grudge to settle, go and report it yourself, but don't do it within my Giant Tree Fortress." Suddenly, a low voice entered Zhu Heng's mind, he raised his head in surprise, only to see Shi Cheng embracing the beauty, with only a pair of eyes gleaming with sinister light, making Zhu Heng understand the deep meaning behind it.

  "Lord of the castle, I'd like to take my leave first." Zhu Heng immediately knelt down.

  Shi Cheng waved his hand and Zhu Heng followed him out.