In a luxurious courtyard of the Domain Lord's Mansion.

Zhang Yubo sat under the willow tree in the yard, indifferently saying, "Did Jiang Chen auction a spirit fire?"

"Yes! It's a high-level Profound Grade Returning Flame. According to him, the commotion caused by the Canghai Trade Alliance was Sang Zhenye helping him collect the spirit fire, and coincidentally, it triggered due to his breakthrough!"

The black-clothed man beside Zhang Yubo spoke respectfully.

"Breakthrough?"

Zhang Yubo slightly raised his eyebrows.

"He indeed broke through and reached the Mid Divine Infant Realm!"

The black-clothed man whispered.

"Breaking through to Mid Divine Infant Realm triggered spiritual energy within ten miles, what level of cultivation technique do you think he practices?"

Zhang Yubo casually glanced at the man.

"I'm afraid it's no weaker than Earth Rank Intermediate, possibly Earth Rank Advanced!"

The man replied softly.

"The Wuying Sword Path cultivation technique created by Wu Ying is precisely Earth Rank Advanced!"

A trace of gloom appeared in Zhang Yubo's eyes.

"Domain Lord, you mean..."

The black-clothed man's face changed, lightly furrowing his brow.

"At the Mingqian Banquet, I need to see his entire strength!"

Zhang Yubo spoke solemnly, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"Yes!"

The man responded and respectfully retreated.

"Jiang Chen, I hope you haven't obtained Wu Ying's inheritance, otherwise, for my own sake and to avoid the Great Emperor's wrath, Changlin Academy might lose a genius student!"

Zhang Yubo softly whispered and looked towards a direction, the location of the Domain Lord's guest courtyard where Jiang Chen and others resided.

The courtyard where the Changlin Academy people were staying.

After returning, everyone gathered in the pavilion in the courtyard, and Jian Cangqiong and others already knew what had happened.

"Junior brother, you're really fierce! How did you manage to retrieve a high-level Profound Grade Spirit Fire?!"

Yun Tao widened his eyes, looking at Jiang Chen in surprise.

Lin Mingxiang, Lei Kai, and several others were also quite shocked, showing disbelief in their eyes.

"Just luck!"

Jiang Chen spoke with a light smile.

"Young Jiang, how's it going?"

Hu Yiqiu looked nervously at Jiang Chen, although he perceived no issues with Jiang Chen, his heart was still a bit uneasy, given that it was a Profound Grade Spirit Fire.

"Master, I'm fine, it's just..."

Jiang Chen shook his head lightly, his expression somewhat desolate.

The Martial Soul hasn't awakened!

Jiang Chen could sense the fluctuations in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness seemed clearer, but the True Dragon Martial Spirit was still not awake!

Hu Yiqiu was momentarily stunned and then smiled lightly, "It's good that you're fine. We heard from Yun Tao that you've been delaying your breakthrough to help the academy gain more points in the main court entrance competition, but it shouldn't delay your cultivation! Breaking through is breaking through, it's nothing!"

"Yes, Jiang Chen, it's nothing. As long as you win the first place at the Mid Divine Infant Realm level, leave the rest to them!"

Jian Cangqiong also started to comfort him.

There's no doubt whether Jiang Chen can win first place after breaking through; when he just reached the Divine Infant Realm Early Stage, he defeated the highly talented Sun Zheyang and Bo Liancheng, both of the same realm, in a single move. What's more, he's already condensed several Great Dao Wheels of Light, being invincible at the same level is not impossible.

Seeing that everyone misunderstood, Jiang Chen didn't explain anything, especially since Lin Mingxiang, Fire Phoenix, and others were present, he couldn't discuss the Martial Soul matter in front of them.

Upon hearing Jian Cangqiong and others' comforting words, those unfamiliar with Jiang Chen's strength, like Fire Phoenix, showed surprise and glanced suspiciously at a few people.

Why does it sound like it's easy for Jiang Chen to take first place in the same realm at the main court entrance competition? That's a competition among the four major academies, with highly talented students from other academies too. Do the principal and others have that much confidence in Jiang Chen?

"Alright, everyone let's not crowd here. Young Jiang just collected the Returning Flame and needs to refine it. Everyone go back!"

Seeing Jiang Chen was indeed fine, Hu Yiqiu felt relieved, started dismissing everyone.

Everyone smiled slightly and didn't linger; even Fire Phoenix, who wanted to probe Jiang Chen, didn't disturb him right now.

"Elder Zhang, you should stay here, don't return to your courtyard!"

Jiang Chen looked up at Zhang Daoling.

After today's events, Tong Hai and the others would probably be more suspicious of him; Zhang Daoling going back alone might be dangerous.

"Alright!"

Zhang Daoling nodded slightly, understanding his situation wasn't very good at the moment.

"Elder Zhang, sorry for dragging you into this!"

Jiang Chen apologetically cupped his hands towards Zhang Daoling.

"Mr Jiang, don't be so formal with an old man like me!"

Zhang Daoling smiled lightly, waving his hand.

Everyone went back to rest, Zhang Daoling stayed in Jiang Chen's master-disciple's attic, while Jiang Chen went back to start refining the Returning Flame.

Nothing happened overnight, and when some forces arrived at Mingyuan City the next day, they regretted bitterly upon hearing about the appearance of the Returning Flame at yesterday's auction.

Those who felt they had some influence tried to find Jiang Chen to exchange for the Returning Flame but were blocked by Hu Yiqiu.

Even knowing Jiang Chen was refining the Returning Flame, some were still unwilling to give up, as refined spirit fires could be transferred too.

These relentless forces secretly watched the courtyard where the Changlin Academy people were located, waiting for Jiang Chen to come out.

But Jiang Chen's refining lasted two whole days and nights, causing those spying forces to resent him deeply.

Before refining, Jiang Chen had given Hu Yiqiu the Space Ring, worried the refinement would take time, letting them look for spirit grass at the auction useful for crafting God Concealing Pills.

Hu Yiqiu didn't refuse, as the spirit grass needed for crafting God Concealing Pills was extremely precious, and now all major forces knew about the first-day auction featuring the rare Returning Flame, so they'd surely pay attention to the remaining two days of auctions.

Relying on their few old folks' collections alone, even if the needed spirit grass appeared, they might not be able to bid on it; after all, Changlin Academy has only obtained minimal resources from the Changling Main Court after refining for decades, even Jian Cangqiong doesn't have much to contribute.

During these two days, Zhang Daoling stayed in Jiang Chen's locked attic without going out, making the three elders of the Tong Family secretly watching gnash their teeth.

The most puzzling thing for Hu Yiqiu and others was that Zhang Yubo had shown no signs of action during these two days.

The words of Hei Mo at the auction would certainly reach his ears, and even if the matter of the Shadowless Sword Emperor's tomb didn't catch his attention, Jiang Chen's few Thunder Fruits would definitely arouse his suspicion.

Yet, he showed no probing actions, causing unease among the Changlin Academy's group.

Perhaps it's the calm before the storm!

...

...

PS: Sitting at home writing drafts all day feels like doing homework all day...

Brothers who are still studying, do you have a lot of homework?

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