Battle Through the Heavens: Marry Cao Ying, Reward is Devouring Ancestral Symbol

Want to go to the Glacier ValleyBurning Flame Valley, Main Hall.

Valley Master Tang Zhen gripped the Jade Slip sent back urgently by Elder Chi Yan, his Face ashen.

The Jade Slip clearly recorded the entire process of Shen Wen’s refusal, especially the words ”No visitors will be received” and ”I will not help you refine the fire bodhi pill,” which pierced Tang Zhen’s heart like ice picks.

He slowly closed his eyes, his chest heaving, and only after a long while did he exhale a breath of hot, turbid air.

”Foolish... I was foolish,” Tang Zhen whispered, his voice filled with regret.

He thought he was being clever, wanting to use the pretext of an ”assessment” to both preserve Burning Flame Valley’s Face and invite this newly promoted Grade 8 Alchemist at a lower cost.

But he had forgotten that the other party wasn’t one of those Loose Cultivators who needed to cling to a major power; he was a core member of the Pill Tower, Old Monster Lin’s personal disciple, and a twenty-year-old Grade 8 Grandmaster!

Such a person naturally possessed his own pride.

How could he be willing to be manipulated by a so-called ”assessment”?

”Valley Master,” an Elder beside him spoke cautiously, ”what should we do now? Should we look for someone else?”

”After all, the Young Lord can still hold on for two or three years!”

Tang Zhen opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon the flickering flame totem in the hall, and said coldly, ”Two or three years? Do you really think prodigies are as common as cabbages? Being able to invite Shen Wen was already the smallest price to pay.”

His voice was low. ”Now, if we want to invite another Grade 8 Grandmaster from the Pill Tower, the price... will at least double. Not to mention whether those old fellows are willing to act for a seventh-grade pill; even if they are, there might not be enough time.”

He stood up and paced to the window, looking out at the continuous volcanoes and swirling smoke in the valley.

”Prepare a flying boat; I must personally make a trip to the Pill Tower.”

Red Fire was startled. ”Valley Master, you’re going personally? This...”

”Is Face more important, or is Huo-er’s life more important?”

Tang Zhen interrupted him, his tone resolute. ”Since the fault lies with my Burning Flame Valley for showing contempt first, then I should be the one to personally apologize for this transgression.”

”What about the Council of Elders?”

Tang Zhen said coldly, ”I will speak to them personally. Do not forget that I am the Valley Master. Besides, they also know the weight of a Grade 8 Alchemist.”

”If it really doesn’t work out, at worst, I’ll stop being the Valley Master!”

”Go and select three five-thousand-year-old ’Earth Core Fire Lotuses.’ If possible, I will take them with me.”

Red Fire solemnly complied, ”Yes!”

...Mountain range dungeon.

Shen Wen finished converting the last Dou Zong; all six now had respectful expressions and pure gazes, without a hint of hostility.

”Greetings, Venerable!” The six bowed in unison, their postures devout.

Shen Wen nodded slightly and looked at Xiong Tao. ”I’ll leave these six to you. Their memories and combat experience remain, but their Heart-Nature has been ’converted,’ and their loyalty is beyond doubt.

You will lead them to continue operations in the surrounding areas. The targets remain those notorious Dou Zongs who deserve death. Remember—”

His tone deepened. ”Support war through war, but you must also be cautious.

Conduct reconnaissance before every operation to avoid falling into traps, and especially do not alert the enemy and attract the attention of major powers.”

Xiong Tao patted his chest. ”Rest assured, Young Lord! I know what’s important!”

Shen Wen then turned to Kui Xing. ”The mountain range’s defenses need to be further strengthened, especially the early-warning Formations and the placement of sentries.”

”The intelligence network must also be expanded. Not just around the Pill Domain, but news from all over the Central Plains, especially information regarding the Hall of Souls, spatial tunnels, rare medicinal herbs, or ruins, should be collected as much as possible.”

Kui Xing replied in a deep voice, ”I understand.”

After finishing his instructions, Shen Wen did not linger. With a flicker of his figure, he merged into the spatial ripples and vanished... Evening, Shen Wen’s residence.

The lights in the dining hall were warm, and the long table was already spread with exquisite dishes.

Cao Ying and Cai Lin sat on either side of Shen Wen, while Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan sat in order. The atmosphere was unusually relaxed.

Xiao Yi Xian sat quietly, a faint smile on her lips.

Qing Lin’s eyes were bright as she curiously examined the dishes on the table she hadn’t seen before.

Zi Yan was already staring at the golden, glistening roasted beast leg in the center, her mouth almost watering.

”Let’s eat,” Shen Wen said with a smile as he picked up his chopsticks.

Zi Yan cheered, her fork stabbing into the beast leg with speed and precision. Qing Lin also carefully picked up a piece of translucent pastry and took a small bite.

Xiao Yi Xian’s movements were elegant, only picking up some light vegetable dishes.

Cao Ying ladled a bowl of soup for Shen Wen and said softly, ”It’s rare for us to gather today; don’t be formal.”

Though Cai Lin’s expression remained cold, she also took the initiative to place a piece of fish in Qing Lin’s bowl beside her. ”Eat more; you’re still growing.”

Midway through the meal, a jade pendant at Dan Chen’s waist suddenly glowed slightly.

She picked it up to sense it, her expression changing slightly. She stood up and said apologetically, ”Brother Shen Wen, Sister Ying, my family has suddenly sent word. There’s an urgent matter I need to return for. I... I’ll take my leave now.”

Shen Wen nodded. ”Go ahead, be careful on the way.”

Dan Chen left in a hurry.

Shen Wen looked at Cao Ying, inquiry in his eyes.

Cao Ying pursed her lips and smiled, saying meaningfully, ”Little Sister Dan Chen hasn’t been idle these days.

There seem to be some changes within the Dan Family, and she is working hard to gain more of a say in the clan, for the sake of her own ’future’.”

Shen Wen looked confused; after all, Dan Chen was already the Prodigy of the Dan Family.

In the future, she could be said to be one of the people in charge of the Dan Family. What ’future’ did she still need to fight for?

But since it was Dan Chen’s private matter, he didn’t ask further.

He turned to look at Xiao Yi Xian, who was eating quietly, and said seriously, ”Xiao Yi Xian, in a few days, I will accompany you on a trip to the Ice River Valley.”

Xiao Yi Xian looked up, her gaze as gentle as spring water.

”That fellow Ice Venerable has done research on the Calamity Poison Body. We’ll go directly to retrieve the relevant records and data.” Shen Wen’s tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable strength. ”Your Physique should be completely dealt with.”

Xiao Yi Xian nodded gently, gratitude and trust rippling in her eyes. ”Mm, I’ll listen to Big Brother Shen Wen.”

Qing Lin asked softly from the side, ”Is Sister Xiao Yi Xian going somewhere very far?”

”Not too far.” Shen Wen rubbed Qing Lin’s head. ”If things go smoothly, we’ll be back in a few days.

Practice well at home, Qing Lin. Your Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils have great potential; do not let it go to waste.”

Qing Lin nodded vigorously. ”I will work hard!”

Zi Yan, gnawing on the beast leg, asked indistinctly, ”What about me?”

”You just Cultivate well. Sister Ying is already handling the matters regarding the Void Ancient Dragon for you.”

”Alright, but I want to go out and play!”

Zi Yan, being naturally restless, said with a pout.

”I’ll have Xiong Tao take you to play with your Sister Cai Lin’s tribesmen for a bit. If you want to stroll around Holy Pill City, you must go out with your Sister Ying.”

Shen Wen said. Zi Yan’s Bloodline was special, and Holy Pill City was a place of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Who knew what might happen?

Unfortunately, Ancient Dragon Island was still a mess. Shen Wen didn’t have the strength to deal with it yet, so it was best to collect clues first.

The family banquet continued in a warm atmosphere.

After the meal, Cao Ying arranged for the maids to clean up, while Shen Wen went to the study alone.

He pushed open the window, looking at the bright lights of the Pill Tower’s inner city and the mountain silhouettes fading into the night in the distance, his thoughts drifting.

He didn’t take the matter of Burning Flame Valley to heart.

If they were sensible, they would come again; if not, then a missed opportunity was just that.

For the trip to Ice River Valley, some preparations were needed.

Ice Venerable was an ambitious and ruthless man; he might not be willing to easily hand over the research data on the Calamity Poison Body.

If negotiations failed... then strength would do the talking.