Chapter 237 Soul's Life Source

Xiao Chen's fame had been skyrocketing in recent days. Even though many had never seen him in person, his ability to turn into a shadow, perform instantaneous formations, summon ancient dragon figures from his palm, and long-extinct supreme arts had become his trademarks.

Chu Xuan balled his hands into such tight fists that his bones were creaking. Before he came here, his Imperial Mother had repeatedly warned him not to easily provoke this person. But how could he, the Second Prince of Xiyue State, allow himself to be humiliated by Xiao Chen in front of so many people? Moreover, he also had another identity: the direct disciple of the Divine Mist Sect's First Elder.

"How dare you! I'm the Prince of Xiyue!"

The crowd was alarmed to hear that he was a Prince of Xiyue State. Xiyue was one of the biggest states in the Middle Continent. More importantly, the state was well-connected with many cultivators' sects and had quite the influence.

Xiao Chen said emotionlessly, "Prince? Tianyuan City doesn't belong to any state. Moreover, a prince and a commoner are no different to me."

"No!" Chu Xuan was livid. He recited a spell, summoning three small swords bathed in gleaming golden glow that rapidly spun around him. He then threw three talismans to the sky, and they latched onto small swords. Instantly, the golden glow grew dazzlingly bright as the body of the swords grew seven or eight times larger. A boundless Sword Qi swept the vital force in the world, calling forth a storm.

Naturally, a prince like him would be equipped with magic treasures and talismans for protection when he was out and about.

The three golden swords emanated a boundless pressure and were imbued with potentially destructive power. Qingluan and Ziyun'er cried in unison, "Master, watch out!" They moved in the following second, protecting Xiao Chen on both sides.

"Hmph!" Xiao Chen flicked his sleeves disdainfully. With a raise of his hand, the Blood Lotus Demon Blade was instantly within his grip. He pointed the tip of the blade at the sky as it emanated a dazzling red radiance. One could faintly hear the nefarious hissing in the background. The red radiance began spinning around the blade as it scattered dense bloodlust all around.

Everyone felt a chill run down their back. Under cover of the boundless killing intent from the Blood Lotus Demon Blade, they remained quiet out of fear. Even the golden radiance of Chu Xuan's three swords dimmed a fair amount, and their blades kept trembling.

Every Legendary Weapon had its soul. It was obvious that the spirits of the three swords couldn't resist the terrifying aura of the Blood Lotus Demon Blade, resulting in the birth of "fear" in them.

"Protect His Highness!" The six guards moved simultaneously to protect Chu Xuan from all directions.

By now, Chu Xuan's bravado had diminished a fair amount. He said in resentment, "Xiao Chen, do you think you're at the level where you can go on a rampage as you please and stand up against an entire country?"

"I don't provoke anyone who doesn't provoke me, but I'll put an end to anyone who provokes me no matter where they are!"

After saying his piece, Xiao Chen put away his blade and left calmly with Qingluan and Ziyun'er.

Chu Xuan's bones creaked noisily as he tightened his fist and watched him leave composedly. Then, he yelled at the onlookers around him, "Mind your own business!"

The crowd immediately dispersed after being shouted at. One of the guards leaned into his ear and whispered, "Seeing as the members of Hidden Fragrance Wafting Under the Moon are with Xiao Chen, he must have something to do with the ambushing of the Crown Prince outside the palace. Your Highness, should we…"

Chu Xuan raised his hand. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he stared in the direction where Xiao Chen left in. He said solemnly, "I have my plans. Your suggestion is unnecessary!"

Xiao Chen and the two ladies only made it back to the courtyard at nightfall. Qingluan and Ziyun'er said little about Chu Xuan, so Xiao Chen didn't question them either. Recalling that the jade note seemed to be a great threat to Qingluan, he asked, 'What's that jade note?"

Ziyun'er was momentarily silent before replying, "Elder Sister's Soul's Life Source is sealed inside the jade note. It had always been in the Crown Prince's hands, but for some reason…"

Xiao Chen nodded. He knew a thing or two about Soul's Life Source. A cultivator must never allow his Soul's Life Source to fall into someone else's hands. If it were destroyed and refined, he would suffer great damage to his vital soul and see his spirit disintegrate into dust.

The former head of the Corpse Refinery Sect, Yu Yangzi, appeared to suffer various restrictions because he left his Soul's Life Source at the sect. It was so much so that he had no choice but to allow the two Blood Corpses to take him away obediently.

Naturally, Xiyue had sealed Qingluan's Soul's Life Source to threaten her so that she wouldn't be able to defect in her entire life. What Xiao Chen was curious about was if Xiyue had the Soul's Life Source of the other eleven ladies as well.

"Do they only have Qingluan's Soul's Life Source?"

Ziyun'er gave a small nod.

Xiao Chen nodded. "Give it to me then."

Qingluan's expression shifted ever so subtly but became fixed just as swiftly. It was much better to have her Master keep her Soul's Life Source rather than leaving it in Chu Xuan's hands. Ziyun'er sneaked a glance at her but didn't say anything. She carefully handed the jade note to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen accepted the jade note and looked at Qingluan. "Come to my room at midnight." He then walked into the courtyard.

The night deepened four hours later. The full moon climbed high in the sky, casting gauze-like dim moonlight on everything.

The breeze brushed the branches, causing the leaves to rustle noisily in the otherwise pin-drop silence. Several flower petals fell along with the wind, moving as gently like falling feathers.

Qingluan arrived at Xiao Chen's door and saw that the candle flames inside had yet to be extinguished. She gently pushed the door open and said in a low voice, "I wonder what orders you have for me, to call me to your room this late at night."

She had her head lowered as she spoke. The moonlight perfectly outlined her body, making her look even more enchanting.

"Come in and close the doors."

Xiao Chen's voice was light. When he spoke, his eyes were fixed on the jade note in his hand.

"Yes."

Qingluan entered the room and gently shut the doors behind her. Then, she slowly made her way to him.

Xiao Chen looked up and noticed her thin clothes. "It's turning colder lately. Don't you feel cold, wearing such thin clothing? We're entering winter soon. Go to the city and buy more clothes for you and your sisters tomorrow."

"Yes…" Qingluan continued to keep her head lowered.

Xiao Chen nodded. He pointed to a spacious area in the room. "Take a seat there."

"Yes." Qingluan continued to speak very little and obeyed his order automatically. She walked over to the place where he was pointing at and sat down cross-legged.

Xiao Chen rose to his feet and joined her. He sat in front of her and said, "If we work together, we should be able to break the seal on this jade note."

Before Qingluan came, he analyzed the jade note for a long time. Not only was the seal on it precise, but it was also planted by a Nascent Soul Realm expert. His strength alone wasn't enough to break the seal. A moment of carelessness might very well cost Qingluan her soul.

"Master…" Qingluan abruptly lifted her head. She never expected that he would want to return her Soul's Life Source to her.

"Stay focused." Shaking his head, Xiao Chen pressed two fingers together and brought them to his lips. He then tossed the jade note to the air and supported it with his vital force. The jade note began to hover between them slowly.

"Let's start!"

Xiao Chen pushed his palms forward simultaneously. Qingluan knew better to say anything now. She extended her arms and slammed her palms onto his. Immediately, a boundless mysterious force began pouring into the jade note.

Following a tremor, the jade note began to emit a layer of golden glow that resisted their mysterious force. Two hours later, the glow of the jade note gradually dimmed until a wisp of smoke emerged from it. The smoke then entered Qingluan through her mid-brows.

The two of them looked as pale as a ghost. They were dripping with so much sweat that their clothes were drenched. Xiao Chen exhaled and said, "That sure isn't easy. I think the one who made the seal must have noticed that it's been undone."

All sorts of thoughts ran through Qingluan's mind. She would never be at peace for as long as this jade note existed, but she had finally regained her Soul's Life Source now. "I feel deeply apologetic for making you waste so much of your vital force on me…"

Xiao Chen shook his head with a chuckle. When he accidentally noticed her thin clothes pressing tightly against her skin, revealing a hazy sort of beauty, his heart stirred. He immediately recited the mental cultivation method of the Mystic Cyan Sect to quell his passing thoughts. "Is that guy from earlier today a prince of Xiyue?"

"Chu Xuan is the Second Prince of Xiyue State. He's a narrow-minded person. Now that you have offended him, you must watch out for him."

Xiao Chen nodded. "Don't worry about me. I have tasks for you in the coming days. Go back and get some rest for now."

"Yes." Qingluan stood up. Seeing that he was dripping with sweat, she whispered, "Do you need me to help you take a bath and change?"

Xiao Chen was in a daze for a long time before he finally lifted his head and waved his hand. "Not necessary. You may leave."

"Yes," Qingluan replied softly. She opened the door and exited the room.

It wasn't until a long time had passed after she left that Xiao Chen finally heaved a sigh of relief. He shook his head as hard as he could. "Xiao Chen, oh, Xiao Chen. If a cultivator can't maintain a peaceful mind, it'll serve as a great obstacle in the future. Have you forgotten your Master's instruction after coming to the world of mortals in the Violet Manor?"

Moments later, he picked up the now-defunct precious stone and crushed it with a gentle pinch.

Every leader of the Hidden Fragrance Wafting Under the Moon must hand over her Soul's Life Source, lest its members defect in the future. However, Xiao Chen would never do this.

Thus, his action subtly set into stone some future events.