Chapter 41: Protagonist, Utterly Preposterous
Suddenly!
Within a circular area spanning a radius of 1,000 meters, everything became crystal clear!
The divine sense range of the Spiritual Awakening realm typically extended within a radius of 100 to 200 meters.
In contrast, the Mysterious Platform realm boasted a baseline coverage of up to 1,000 meters!
"Amazing!"
"Everything around me is now laid bare. The sensation of control is utterly exhilarating!"
Jiang Chen grinned.
Without delay,
He initiated his investigation of the Golden Apricot Inn.
At this point, without resorting to the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, he could effortlessly pierce through the protective formation guarding the Golden Apricot Inn and scrutinize Lin Feng's situation, all without raising any suspicion.
He delved in with his divine sense.
However, he observed Lin Feng still seated cross-legged on the bed, immersed in his practice, as though he hadn't budged for half a month.
"Hmm?"
"This state... appears rather peculiar!"
"Could this be... attaining a state of sudden enlightenment, grasping the concepts of emptiness and selflessness?!"
Jiang Chen's eyes initially displayed bewilderment, but soon his pupils contracted and his mouth twitched.
What defined a protagonist?
This right here epitomized the quintessential protagonist!
Devoid of any spiritual plants, one could achieve such a scarce cultivation state simply by casually practicing at an inn.
Bear in mind that the vast majority of cultivators might never have the chance to experience such a state, even after several years of dedicated practice.
That too, only if they were exposed to an assortment of favorable circumstances.
Protagonist, utterly preposterous.
Just at that moment!
Abruptly, a wave of spiritual pressure burst forth from Lin Feng's body.
He had achieved a breakthrough!
"Wow!"
"He advanced so swiftly!"
Jiang Chen's eyes widened in astonishment, and his figure transformed into an afterimage, vanishing from the scene and retreating hundreds of meters in an instant!
As Lin Feng made his breakthrough, his divine sense also expanded proportionately. Who could predict whether his divine sense would surpass that of other cultivators at the same level?
To avoid detection,
Jiang Chen withdrew without any hesitation.
After all, his divine sense coverage radius now spanned one thousand meters, so it made sense to observe Lin Feng from a greater distance.
He chose a random location.
Jiang Chen persisted in monitoring Lin Feng.
Unexpectedly, Lin Feng raised his right hand, and a flame materialized at his fingertip. He playfully wiggled his finger.
Shortly thereafter,
Lin Feng appeared pleased with his own flame and promptly extinguished it.
"This is the flame he utilized to eliminate his foes!"
"It's remarkably potent! It has already attained the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening and is nearing the half-step Mysterious Platform realm!"
"Good heavens, if Lin Feng continues to progress at this rate, wouldn't he become capable of transcending major realms to vanquish his adversaries?"
Jiang Chen's mouth twitched, and suddenly he felt that his own Mysterious Platform realm cultivation seemed rather unremarkable...
Just at that moment,
The transmission jade token on his waist quivered.
Jiang Chen dispatched a thread of divine sense and scanned it swiftly. Instantly, his expression shifted.
"Young Master!"
"Following your directives, we have been keeping tabs on any formidable outsiders within Autumn Glory City!"
"Not long ago, we identified several unfamiliar Spiritual Awakening experts materializing in the teleportation hall of Autumn Glory City!"
"..."
This message constituted the intelligence report conveyed by the cultivators subordinate to Jiang Chen.
Upon uncovering the backgrounds of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi,
Jiang Chen understood that the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain from the Bright Cloud Continent would not let them off easily. It was highly probable that they had dispatched assassins to eliminate them and subsequently present Lin Feng with a 'generous gift package'.
Consequently,
He had already positioned a number of undercover agents.
As for the teleportation hall in Autumn Glory City,
It was a magnificent chamber housing numerous teleportation arrays. Serving as the swiftest transportation hub in Autumn Glory City, it was co-managed by the Jiang and Zhou Clans. One could access the teleportation service for a fee, although it came at a considerable cost.
For Jiang Chen, keeping an eye on the teleportation hall was a breeze. Numerous members of the Jiang Clan held positions there.
At this very moment,
The surveillance bore fruit!
Typically, the Spiritual Awakening experts frequenting Autumn Glory City were cultivators from the city itself and neighboring martial cities.
The staff working at the teleportation hall all year round were well-acquainted with these experts.
Spiritual Awakening experts who had never been seen before indicated that they hailed from more distant places and were visiting Autumn Glory City for the first time!
Jiang Chen promptly associated them with Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain.
To verify if they were from Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, all he needed was to utilize the Villain's Eye!
"Provide me with their location!"
Jiang Chen commanded and swiftly received a reply!
There were a total of five Spiritual Awakening experts: two in the Early-stage, two in the Middle-stage, and one in the Late-stage.
The five individuals arrived via teleportation and lodged at separate inns.
Jiang Chen was already aware of their precise locations.
"Three in the east, two in the south!"
"I'm currently in the south..."
Jiang Chen's lips curled into a smile as he took a step and vanished in a blur!
He reached the nearest target inn, guided by the intelligence report.
Unleashing his divine sense,
Every detail of the inn came fully into view, not a single aspect overlooked.
Within one of the ordinary guest rooms, a cultivator at the Spiritual Awakening realm sat!
'Villain's Eye!'
[Name: Cao Junli
Realm: Late-stage Spiritual Awakening
Status: Supporting character
Fate Value: 109]
'Just as anticipateda supporting character!'
'The likelihood of this individual being connected to the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain is as high as ninety percent!'
'Hehe, with a mere Fate Value of 109, it seems he's eager to meet his end!'
'From this, one can deduce that his days are numbered. He will soon fall to Lin Feng and become a loot box!'
Jiang Chen contemplated for a moment, and a smile emerged at the corner of his mouth.
He had likely already deduced the upcoming plot development in the original storyline.
It was merely a matter of Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian being assaulted, with Lin Feng arriving in time to vanquish the foe, astonishing the master and disciple pair and earning their gratitude.
"Hehe!"
"Lin Feng, allow me to assist you in fulfilling your plotline!"
Jiang Chen smirked coldly and turned to depart.
Exercising caution,
He proceeded to examine the other four cultivators at the Spiritual Awakening realm and, without exception, they were all supporting characters!
At this moment,
The fifth Spiritual Awakening cultivator, Tian Wendong, captured Jiang Chen's attention, prompting him to examine more closely.
The reason was that Tian Wendong, despite his youth, had achieved Early-stage Spiritual Awakening cultivation, which would place him as at least a true disciple within the Starry Abyss Sect.
Additionally, this individual exuded a certain air of frivolity and arrogance, giving others an impression of domineering and overbearing behavior.
'This Tian Wendong...'
'Is it possible that he's some sort of second-generation figure or the like?'
'Considering his Fate Value of 98, he's likely to be the first to meet his end.'
'Lin Feng killing him in the original plot must have incited even greater animosity and drawn more individuals to become 'loot boxes' for his collection.'
'Nonetheless, this person's Fate Value is too low, signifying his eventual demise. I might as well just eliminate him.'
'...'
Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, pondering the best course of action for his strategy.
Simultaneously,
"Based on the intelligence report,"
"The target, Qiu Liaoxi, has resided in Autumn Glory City for fifteen years and has taken a young girl under her wing as a disciple."
"Despite the passage of fifteen years, their cultivation has likely only reached the Spiritual Awakening realm at most, or perhaps merely the Soul Refining realm."
"This mission appears relatively straightforward. Once we've accomplished the task, we can indulge in leisure before heading back."
"We mustn't return to the Illusory Slaying Tower too soon, given the rare opportunity to venture out!"
Tian Wendong toyed with a dagger-shaped artifact, a lascivious grin forming on his face.
Illusory Slaying Tower,
A formidable assassination organization within the Mysterious Truth Continent!
On this occasion, they accepted a mission from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in the Bright Cloud Continent to journey to Autumn Glory City and apprehend Qiu Liaoxi alive.
If capturing her alive proved unattainable, eliminating her was also permissible; however, they were required to retrieve the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key!