Chapter 855: Chapter 488: Breaking Through the Encirclement

Dugu Qiu held the Twelfth Tier Mysterious Artifact and clashed with Hu Li the Immortal among the clouds, causing the sky to be filled with rumbling thunder, as the clouds in the sky changed unpredictably, stirring up torrential rain and hail.

"It’s Dugu Qiu!" Xie Xuan immediately recognized the figure in the clouds.

"Who is the one sparring with Dugu Qiu? Even though Dugu Qiu holds the Twelfth Tier Divine Artifact and is severely injured, he’s not someone an ordinary person can contend with," Zhang Chen curiously inquired.

Of course, he remembered Hu Li the Immortal, after all, he had frequently encountered him in the past, and even left the Forbidden Character Technique in his divine soul, yet he couldn’t determine the true background of the other party. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"That person is Hu Li the Immortal!" Xie Xuan replied.

"That Tier Twelve Divine Being of the Demon Race?" Zhang Chen’s pupils shrank upon hearing this.

The Human Race possesses three Twelfth Tier Mysterious Artifacts, and the reason the Demon Race hasn’t perished under the Twelfth Tier Mysterious Artifacts is all because of Hu Li the Immortal holding the fort.

"Exactly him," Xie Xuan said.

Upon hearing this, a thought flashed through Zhang Chen’s mind: "I’ve implanted a restriction within Hu Li the Immortal’s body, doesn’t this mean I can control the Demon Race? Even use the Demon Race to my advantage in the future."

Thinking of this, Zhang Chen took out the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror and gave it a flick towards the Chief Eunuch Dugu Qiu in the clouds, capturing Dugu Qiu’s aura, to prevent him from hiding again.

Once his aura is captured by my Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, no matter where he hides, I can always find him.

"The matter of the Tree of Life Coffin is settled," Zhang Chen looked at the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror in his hand, and a weight on his heart was lifted; as long as he could locate Dugu Qiu, finding the Tree of Life Coffin would be no trouble.

Xie Lingyun and Xie Xuan looked at the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror in Zhang Chen’s hands, knowing it was another Exotic Treasure, though its use was unknown to them.

Zhang Chen did not explain either; the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror was exceedingly mysterious, and unless necessary, he didn’t wish to reveal it to outsiders.

At this moment, Prince Pingbian’s army in the distance also sensed something wrong. After over a dozen large ships successively fell into the Weak Water, life or death unknown, Prince Pingbian’s subordinate generals finally perceived something amiss and hastily ordered their troops to stop the ships.

"The opposing side has stopped their ships," Zhang Chen said, looking at Xie Xuan.

"Since they’ve stopped, let’s charge over and show them our might," Xie Xuan sneered coldly, "Set sail, charge out!"

With a command from Xie Xuan, the fleet set off into the distance, causing countless ships to fall into the water in their wake, startling Prince Pingbian to urgently call out: "Retreat immediately, keep your distance! Keep your distance!"

At this time, Dragon Qi flowed between the two armies, suppressing the Ten Thousand Techniques, making cultivators beneath the Yang God like ordinary mortals, unable to stir the winds and waves to move the large ships. But fortunately, there was assistance from the Sea Race army, with Mr. Wuliu commanding the Sea Race army in the water to assist, helping Prince Pingbian’s army to retreat.

Zhang Chen’s Water Control Technique was formidable, but he had to catch up to the other side’s ships to be effective.

He could indeed use the Water Control Technique to propel the ships, but with the Inspection and Supervision Department having ten large vessels, Zhang Chen couldn’t move them all quickly without losing control. If he propelled just one, and there was a disconnect with the rest, the remaining ships might be sunk by the enemy. Zhang Chen, considering both forward and backward, couldn’t expand his victory.

"We can’t catch up; they have the Water Demons helping them, we simply can’t pursue. Getting out of the encirclement is already a stroke of fortune, let’s leave quickly," said Xie Xuan, seeing Prince Pingbian’s army retreating, keeping a clear head and not being drunken with victory.

Zhang Chen nodded upon hearing this, "Let’s go."

The Inspection and Supervision Department’s fifty thousand troops easily passed through the battlefield. Once they had left, the Weak Water disappeared, and the ships and countless corpses floated upwards.

Prince Pingbian stood on the bow, his face darkened, his voice filled with contained rage: "What the hell was that? What means did the opponents use that rendered my army unable to resist at all?"

"It must be the Water God’s authority; there is a Natural God on the opponent’s side, steering the Water God’s authority, thus sinking the Prince’s ships," Gu Mingyue speculated.

"Natural God? Isn’t that exclusive to your Yellow Heaven Dao? How does Xie Xuan have a Natural God under his command?" Prince Pingbian asked, looking at Gu Mingyue.

Gu Mingyue shook her head at this: "This world has too many strange forces, it’s really hard to fathom. If there are other forces that have mastered the power of the Natural God, or something similar, it wouldn’t be surprising."

Listening to Gu Mingyue, Prince Pingbian took a deep breath, and after a long time, sighed helplessly: "What a pity!"

He had planned for so long to besiege Xie Xuan and eliminate the fifty thousand elite troops of the Inspection and Supervision Department, but unexpectedly, an unforeseen event still occurred in the end.

"Who would have thought Xie Xuan would have such a trump card, no wonder the court dispatched him to guard the Northern Land," Mr. Wuliu sighed softly.

"Withdraw the troops, let’s not waste our energy," said Prince Pingbian, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

Wherever the fifty thousand troops of the Inspection and Supervision Department passed, Prince Pingbian’s fleet retreated several miles, not daring to obstruct.

Once they broke through the encirclement, Xie Xuan stood at the ship’s bow, incredulously watching the enemy troops on the distant river: "Did we just break through the encirclement like that?"

"It’s almost like a dream," Xie Lingyun whispered.

"It’s both difficult and easy. When dealing with top experts, I’m not as good as you two, but when it comes to these common soldiers, you’re not as good as I am," Zhang Chen said with a cheerful smile.

"The Northern Land will surely fall into chaos in the future. Once our army from the Inspection and Supervision Department withdraws, the Northern Land will be completely overrun by the Demon Country, and the people there will fall into a living hell," Xie Lingyun said with an air of compassion.

"We can’t even protect ourselves, how can we care for the people of the Northern Land? Prince Pingbian’s actions are like digging his own grave; he will surely face retribution," Xie Xuan said.

The large ship of the Inspection and Supervision Department sailed away amidst Xie Lingyun’s complaints. After traveling several hundred miles, Zhang Chen said to Xie Lingyun and Xie Xuan, "When sending someone off, one must eventually part ways. Shall we take our leave here?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan paused, a hint of reluctance in his eyes: "Why not travel together?"

Zhang Chen shook his head: "Please, Leader Xie, prepare a small boat for me. Let’s part ways here. I will go to Shangjing in the future, but not now."

Could Zhang Chen tell Xie Xuan that he was planning to exploit the Tree of Life Coffin?

He feared saying it might scare Xie Xuan to death.

Seeing that persuasion was futile, Xie Xuan could only wave his hand and order his men to prepare the boat.

Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen with a pair of eyes: "Little brother, be very careful, and never put yourself in danger. If you encounter anything you can’t handle, feel free to write to me in Kyoto."

At this, Xie Lingyun handed over a letter: "This letter contains my address in Kyoto."

Zhang Chen took the letter and playfully said to Xie Lingyun: "I hope that the next time we meet, I can call you a Great Zhenren. The currents in Kyoto are turbulent, and I have countless troubles; sister, you’ll have to cover for me."

"Don’t worry, the next time we meet, I will definitely be in the Yang God realm!" Xie Lingyun said with determination.

Soon, the boat was ready, just a simple black awning boat slightly bigger than an ordinary family boat. Zhang Chen moved the iron lump into the cabin, carried the three little ones in their slumbering transformation onto the boat, and after helping Mrs. Zhang aboard, he cupped his fists towards Xie Lingyun and Xie Xuan. The next moment, the small boat shot forward like an arrow from a bow, disappearing from their sight.

"Such a person, a young genius, truly unheard of! Looking all over Kyoto, those favored by the heavens cannot compare! The current Emperor is concerned about the Four Princes and Eight Dukes. Although he hails from the Zhang Family, there is discord with his own family. Perhaps this is an opportunity to break the situation," Xie Xuan said.

Hearing Xie Xuan’s words, Xie Lingyun nodded: "Perhaps the chance for us to clear Zhang Chen’s name lies in this."

"What worries me now is whether we should report Zhang Chen’s situation. If the Emperor doesn’t follow our plan, he will surely pursue the charge of Zhang Chen leaving the Northern Land without permission, leading to a confrontation where neither side backs down. Zhang Chen is not someone who would endure and swallow insults. I’m afraid this might disturb his peace. If the result isn’t what we hoped for, it might be better to bury Zhang Chen’s name in the Northern Land, letting it turn to dust alongside the countless people there," Xie Xuan said, full of conflict.

Hearing this, Xie Lingyun smiled: "He is a blazing sun; no matter where he goes, he will shine with dazzling brilliance. Does Father think he would remain obscure in Jiangnan? If he stirs up waves that catch the Human King’s attention, that will be our chance to speak up. With his skills, he won’t remain silent in Jiangnan for long."

Xie Xuan was stunned upon hearing this, then lightly touched the ship’s side with a smile: "That’s certainly reasonable! That kid is quite astounding, and his temperament doesn’t allow him to suffer losses. In this world full of corrupt officials and powerful families, an unprivileged person with skills like his is bound to stir up trouble sooner or later."

"Indeed! We just need to wait for good news," Xie Lingyun sighed: "I only need to quickly break through the realms, stepping into the Yang God as soon as possible. In the future, if he finds himself in trouble, I can help lend a hand."

"He’s bold enough to provoke Prince Pingbian’s Mansion; what else in this world would make him cautious? If he causes a disturbance, it will surely be significant enough to shake the heavens," Xie Xuan said.

If Zhang Chen knew Xie Xuan’s thoughts, he would surely praise Xie Xuan, acknowledging the old man’s accurate judgment.

With such Divine Techniques mastered, if Zhang Chen still endured and was bullied, what would have been the point of cultivating those techniques?

On the small boat, Mrs. Zhang sat in the open area, her eyes on Zhang Chen, who was seated at the side, his feet splashing water: "You should have left with the Inspection and Supervision Department. It would be good for you to go with Leader Xie; your future prospects wouldn’t be bad."

"Those are future prospects granted by others, not ones I’ve earned through my own capabilities. My relationship with the Xie family father and daughter is an equal one. If I accept their arrangements and place myself under them, our relationship and bond would change," Zhang Chen said.

He is a proud person, presently interacting with the Xie family father and daughter as equals. If he joined their ranks, wouldn’t he be unable to hold his head high in the future?