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

Chapter 271 Tianmu Mountains”Senior, I’ll be leaving now.”

Tian Leizi nodded, ”Go. Come visit me when you have time.”

Shen Wen waved his hand, acknowledging the invitation.

The figure in the black robe passed through the crowd and walked towards the exit of the square.

It was as if he had merely attended an ordinary gathering.

The crowd automatically parted, forming a path.

No one dared to speak.

It wasn’t until that figure disappeared at the end of the square that the buzzing discussions resumed.

”He’s just leaving?”

”Otherwise? Stay and watch Cao Xiu perform Alchemy? How boring would that be.”

”True... But speaking of which, Grandmaster Shen’s Alchemy is terrifying, isn’t it?”

”Nonsense, otherwise how could he become an eighth-grade Alchemist at twenty?”

”Then Cao Xiu this time really...”

”He brought it upon himself, who else is to blame?”

Amidst the discussions, Cao Xiu still stood before the pill platform.

His gaze fell upon the empty pill platform opposite him, his face devoid of expression.

Behind him, the few Cao Family disciples exchanged glances, unsure whether to step forward.

On the sky platform, the several grey-robed figures looked at each other, then quietly retreated into the crowd and disappeared.

The push by the Bai Family and Qiu Family had utterly failed.

No, not just failed.

They had personally escalated what was originally an ’internal conflict within the Cao Family’ into a city-wide spectacle.

Then, in front of the entire city, they watched Shen Wen utterly humiliate Cao Xiu.

Now, not only had they offended Shen Wen, but also the Cao Family.

...

Shen Residence.

The aroma of tea wafted gently, and sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the flower hall, spreading warm patches of light across the floor.

Shen Wen leaned back in his chair, his teacup empty. Qing Lin was softly refilling it for him.

Cao Ying sat opposite him, holding a few pages of secret reports that had just been delivered from outside. As she flipped through them, she casually remarked, ”Pill Tower was quite lively today.

After you left, Cao Xiu stood for a full quarter of an hour before leaving, reportedly with an extremely grim expression.”

Shen Wen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said casually, ”He brought it upon himself.”

Cao Ying looked up at him, her lips curving slightly, ”You’re quite unconcerned.

However, this has further boosted your reputation in the Pill Tower.

People from the Bai Family and Qiu Family were all avoiding others today, afraid of being reminded of their previous gossip.”

”Mere clowns.”

Shen Wen put down his teacup. ”But since they made a move, we can’t let them get away with it.”

He looked at Cao Ying, ”You can use this opportunity to make a move within the Cao Family.

Those Elders who previously supported Cao Xiu, you should reprimand those who need it and win over those who can be won over.

I’ve suppressed Cao Xiu openly, and you’ll consolidate the support of the people in the shadows.

The Cao Family’s prestige should now be shifted towards us.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Ying’s eyes flickered.

She naturally understood Shen Wen’s meaning.

The Cao Family was not a monolith; those Elders who had previously been dissatisfied with Shen Wen’s resource allocation were the most active in supporting Cao Xiu’s challenge.

Now that Cao Xiu had suffered a crushing defeat, these people were feeling guilty, and acting now would yield twice the results with half the effort.

”I understand.” Cao Ying nodded. ”Coincidentally, several Elders’ disciples want to enter the core of the Pill Tower, but have been held back.

Now we can loosen the restrictions a bit in exchange for their allegiance.”

Shen Wen hummed in acknowledgment and said no more.

He trusted Cao Ying to handle things.

On the other side of the flower hall, Cai Lin reclined on a soft couch, gently stroking her lower abdomen, her purple eyes slightly closed, seemingly dozing.

Shen Wen’s gaze fell upon her, lingering for a moment.

He pondered for a bit.

Given Cai Lin’s current condition, the fetal development was stable, and her Qi and blood were abundant. Waiting a bit longer would be perfectly fine.

As for the Tianmu Mountain Range, the matter of the Gold-Devouring Rat clan should not be delayed any further.

The arrangements of the Hall of Souls, the threat of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python, and the enemies hidden in the dark all required intelligence.

And the Gold-Devouring Rats were the most suitable intelligence network he could think of at the moment.

”Cai Lin.”

Shen Wen spoke.

Cai Lin opened her eyes and looked at him.

Shen Wen said, ”I plan to go out for a trip, for a few days at the shortest, or half a month at the longest. You here, should be able to wait?”

Upon hearing this, Cai Lin’s lips curved slightly, and she said softly, ”Go. I’m not that delicate.”

Shen Wen smiled, stood up, and walked to her side. He placed his hand on her lower abdomen, and a wisp of Dou Qi probed inward, carefully sensing for a moment. After confirming everything was normal, he withdrew his hand.

”Wait for me to return.”

Cai Lin nodded, saying nothing, just gently squeezing his hand.

...

Tianmu Mountain Range.

Located in the northern part of Central Plains, it stretches for thousands of miles, with towering peaks and a constant shroud of clouds and mist.

This was not a Forbidden Ground, yet few dared to venture deep within.

Because every three years, a large-scale energy tide would erupt from deep within the mountain range, its violent energy capable of tearing apart any intruder.

On normal days, many Cultivators would be active on the outskirts of the mountain range, hunting Demonic Beasts and collecting medicinal herbs.

But today.

Deep within the mountain range, above a hidden valley, space suddenly rippled like water.

A black-robed figure stepped out of the ripples, standing in mid-air.

Shen Wen.

He scanned his surroundings, his brows slightly raised.

”This is the Tianmu Mountain Range...”

He took a deep breath, sensing the energy fluctuations permeating the air.

The energy here was much denser than the outside, but also more volatile, with a subtle sense of disorder.

Especially deeper within the mountain range, that sense of disorder grew even stronger, as if something was slumbering, its every breath stirring the energy of heaven and earth.

Shen Wen did not rashly venture deeper.

He closed his eyes, and his Soul Power spread out like mercury, covering a radius of dozens of miles.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, a hint of understanding flashing within them.

”The energy tide will only erupt in another year.”

He sensed the pattern of the periodic fluctuations. Although the energy was volatile at the moment, it was still within a controllable range, far from the critical point of eruption.

”Once every three years... quite punctual.”

Shen Wen stroked his chin, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

In the original work, there wasn’t much description of this energy tide.

It was only said to be a natural wonder, erupting every three years, spewing out massive amounts of pure energy, and the Tian Shan Pool within the volcanic crater would be filled with red liquid.

This was the Tian Shan Blood Pool.

But no one had delved into the source of the tide.

As if it were simply a natural law of heaven and earth, meant to be so.

But Shen Wen didn’t believe it.

Natural law of heaven and earth?

Then why specifically every three years?

Why specifically in this Tianmu Mountain Range?

Why did each eruption leave behind something like the Blood Pool, which could help people achieve a Dou Zong Breakthrough?

Too coincidental.

So coincidental that he felt there must be something strange behind it.

”Either some kind of heaven and earth spiritual object is slumbering, breathing once every three years. Or a Formation in some ruins is operating periodically, leaking energy.”

”Interesting.”

Shen Wen’s lips curled into a slight smile.

His primary goal for this trip was the Gold-Devouring Rat clan, but since he stumbled upon the secret of this energy tide, he might as well investigate it too.

Anyway, it was still a year until the eruption, so he had plenty of time to investigate slowly.