Chapter 139: Chu Dong's Decision

Under Xu Xuan's mildly intrigued gaze, Chu Dong remained as calm as water, slowly exhaling a breath. "My suggestion is that Brother Xu should stay far away from Huanglong City."

Stay far away from Huanglong City!

"Why?"

Xu Xuan’s eyes flickered slightly. This was a choice he had not failed to consider before.

"The two great families of Huanglong City are locked in a struggle that is intensifying by the day. This place will soon become a hotbed of trouble. For small-time Qi Refiners like us, it is impossible to reverse the tide unless one possesses the strength of the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement or above. Given your potential, Brother Xu, Huanglong City will eventually be unable to contain you. Since that is the case, why not leave this place of turmoil early? A gentleman taking revenge does not consider ten years too late; why rush for the moment?"

Chu Dong spoke with indifference, his face devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"I didn't expect that you, Brother Chu, would have such little faith in the Zhang family."

For the first time, Xu Xuan revealed a trace of surprise.

His current stay in Huanglong City was primarily based on the premise that the Zhang family could stand toe-to-toe with the Dongfang family. First, he could cultivate in peace under the protection of a major power, and he owed the Zhang family a debt of gratitude for their care. Second, in the gap between the two warring families, there might be an opportunity for early vengeance, thereby fulfilling his heart's desire.

The facts seemed to support this; the Zhang family had held their own against the Dongfang family for many years without falling.

However, judging by the current situation, Chu Dong—a genius Immortal Diviner—did not seem optimistic about the Zhang family, or he would not have advised him to stay away from Huanglong City.

"An Immortal Diviner never draws conclusions based on subjective emotions, even if I have a good relationship with the Young Master of the Zhang family."

Chu Dong sighed softly, his gaze drifting toward the distant firmament outside the window.

Xu Xuan vaguely understood that Chu Dong’s aspirations lay beyond Huanglong City; his advice likely held logical merit.

"I appreciate your advice, Brother Chu." Xu Xuan pondered for a moment before letting out a light, relieved laugh. "But in this life, one does not necessarily have to walk the most objectively reasonable path. Huanglong City holds too many things I cannot discard—friends, my junior sister, kin, and more importantly, a sworn enemy I must kill... I do not submit to fate, nor do I care about future success or failure, even if I am currently but an ant among the masses of the cultivation world."

Chu Dong was moved. A strange look surged in his eyes as he gazed deeply at Xu Xuan. "I never expected Brother Xu to have such a free-spirited outlook on life. It is truly admirable, though it stands in stark contrast to the way an Immortal Diviner operates and manipulates things according to a fixed, most reasonable trajectory."

Xu Xuan added with firm resolve, "Young Master Zhang and I are great friends, and the Eldest Miss has been very kind to me. Regardless of whether your conclusion is right or wrong, I will not be leaving Huanglong City in the near future."

Chu Dong fell silent upon hearing this, appearing to be caught in some sort of inner struggle.

The birthday banquet for Zhang Yuhan proceeded in an orderly fashion, filled with noise and excitement, until the guests finally began to depart late into the evening.

"Xu Xuan, the Dongfang family’s doors will always be open to you."

Before leaving, Dongfang Ba approached him with a piercing gaze and a look of profound meaning.

"Young Master Dongfang, I appreciate the sentiment, but unfortunately, we are destined to be enemies by fate, even before the Fengyu Sect was destroyed."

Xu Xuan rejected him with a cold, indifferent expression.

This was the most decisive and ruthless rejection he had ever given Dongfang Ba in front of so many people.

Enemies by fate!

Feeling the irreversible and powerful resolve emanating from Xu Xuan, Dongfang Ba’s expression darkened. He sneered, "Very well! I, Dongfang Ba, have never minded getting a little more enemy blood on my hands."

Watching Dongfang Ba and his group depart, Zhang Yuhan, who shone like a pearl amidst the hazy lights, could not help but show a trace of gratification. She had not misjudged him after all.

Zhang Feng was also visibly touched, reaching out to clap a heavy hand on Xu Xuan’s shoulder. "Good brother!"

"Guest Advisor Xu, since you are such a close friend of Brother Feng, I hope you won't mind if I call you Brother Xuan."

Zhang Yuhan smiled, her tone intimate and natural. Perhaps due to the influence of the fine wine, a breathtaking, rosy flush bloomed on her perfect, jade-like cheeks.

"That is fine."

Xu Xuan could not refuse the sincere, soft-spoken request from the greatest beauty of Huanglong. As it turned out, he was only a few months older than Zhang Yuhan.

However, Xu Xuan had no blood ties to the Zhang family. Being addressed as "Brother Xuan" by the Eldest Miss was an honor that made many envious, causing the likes of Lin Hui, standing nearby, to feel as if they had fallen into an abyss. Beyond their disappointment, a more intense jealousy began to fester.

After Lin Hui and the others left, Xu Xuan slowly revealed the nature of his hatred for Dongfang Ba.

Upon hearing the story, Zhang Feng and the others gasped. They had not expected that Xu Xuan’s father had been crippled by Dongfang Ba.

And the fact that Xu Xuan had won the Three-Spirit Deer Blood from Dongfang Ba in a wager in Huanglong City felt like an arrangement of destiny.

"Brother Xuan’s courage and restraint are truly admirable. That night at the Zhang Tianling Pavilion, you were so composed, winning the Three-Spirit Deer Blood right from under the nose of your enemy. If I had known, I would not have made things difficult for you regarding the blood..." Zhang Yuhan’s voice was soft, gradually tinged with self-reproach.

When she first met Xu Xuan, she had only seen him as a youth with potential—something countless in Huanglong City.

Yet, who could have foreseen that this grassroots boy from a small mountain sect would create miracles time and again, turning the impossible into reality? Every performance of his left the noble and beautiful Zhang Yuhan pleasantly surprised and filled with newfound respect.

"Yuhan, there is no need to blame yourself. You acted in the interest of your family, and it was only reasonable that you didn't help me that day."

Xu Xuan dismissed her apology with a smile. He did not deny his fondness for such a beautiful, elegant woman. But he couldn't help but wonder what the outcome would have been had he been a mediocre boy without such stunning displays of talent.

By late night, the Zhang family’s birthday banquet finally drew to a close.

Only three people remained on the spirit pavilion: Zhang Feng, Zhang Yuhan, and Chu Dong, the genius Immortal Diviner.

Ever since his conversation with Xu Xuan, Chu Dong had remained silent, seemingly caught in a state of indecision. This was the first time Zhang Feng had seen Chu Dong like this.

"Brother Chu, you spoke with him for a while just now; what are your thoughts?" Zhang Yuhan asked, a faint smile playing in her poetic, beautiful eyes.

"Brother Zhang Feng, befriending this man may be the most precious stroke of fortune in your entire life," Chu Dong said, his words filled with deep meaning.

Zhang Feng was startled but replied candidly, "I first got to know Xu Xuan because I felt we clicked; we were very compatible. I didn't expect him to be so extraordinary."

"Because of his existence, I have made a new decision." Chu Dong looked up at the endless night sky, taking a deep breath as a bright luster flickered in his eyes.

"What decision?" Zhang Feng and his sister asked with curiosity.

"I have decided to stay in Huanglong City for the time being." A faint smile tugged at the corners of Chu Dong's mouth.

Zhang Feng was taken aback, then said joyfully, "You originally said you would leave Huanglong City in two months. You’re staying now because of Xu Xuan? This is truly wonderful!"

Zhang Yuhan’s pretty face also showed a hint of relief. With the aid of a genius like Chu Dong, their prospects in the future struggle against Dongfang Ba would certainly improve.

Xu Xuan returned to the Green Hill Villa with Yu Qin, feeling peaceful and content.

In the days that followed, Yu Qin often went to the Great Elder to study immortal techniques, her cultivation speed increasing rapidly.

Xu Xuan kept most of his good spirit materials in his "Memory Star Sea," but his cultivation speed was not significantly slower than before.

However, every time he woke up after a night's sleep, he would feel an extraordinary comfort in his body, as if he had spent the entire night soaking in a medicinal bath. Not only that, but the hidden ailments left behind from his cultivation had also vanished.

Xu Xuan was very surprised; these changes had persisted ever since he returned from the Free Market. He soon guessed that these changes were likely related to the Moonlit Secret Pearl.

The pearl remained hidden deep within his body, and Xu Xuan could neither summon it nor actively control it.

"It seems I have to wait for the remnant soul from my past life to awaken; he should be able to see through this mystery." Xu Xuan sighed softly, forcing himself to focus on cultivation and wait—not only for the remnant soul but also for the right moment.

A few days later, joyful news arrived: his younger sister, Huilan, had been escorted to Huanglong City by members of the Zhang family.

When they met, Xu Huilan wept, her delicate frame trembling as she cried in Xu Xuan’s arms, "Brother, ever since you left last time... I’ve been worried to death."

After comforting her for a while, Xu Xuan brought Xu Huilan to the Green Hill Villa.

In terms of age, Xu Huilan was similar to Yu Qin, only a few months older. The two girls hit it off immediately and got along very well.

Xu Huilan’s talent was not much worse than Yu Qin’s, but because she had started her path later, her cultivation was stuck at the Third Level of Qi Refinement, though she was now close to the Fourth.

However, the path of Array Formation was itself a vast gateway that could facilitate cultivation. Even though Xu Huilan had been training for less time than others, her deep understanding and realization of various arrays helped her cultivation realm grow.

Xu Huilan had a lively personality. After she arrived, the Green Hill Villa became much more vibrant. One could often see her setting up arrays in the spirit garden, occasionally punctuated by startling booms and surges of spiritual energy.

Xu Xuan did not know the exact depth of his sister’s attainments in array formation, but according to his past memories, she seemed far more formidable than the array masters he had encountered. After all, even at this stage, Huilan had already begun to innovate and improve certain arrays.

With his sister settled, Xu Xuan began to focus entirely on his cultivation. Having reached the Sixth Level of Qi Refinement, he was looking to break through to the Seventh Level—the level of an Upper-Tier Immortal Practitioner.

The Ninth Level of Qi Refinement was divided into small thresholds every three levels. The Seventh Level was a small bottleneck for Xu Xuan, and breaking through it quickly would not be easy.

About ten days later, Xu Xuan had yet to break through to the Seventh Level, while Yu Qin and Huilan had both successfully advanced, reaching the Sixth and Fourth Levels of Qi Refinement, respectively.

Yu Qin had the vigorous cultivation of the Great Elder, combined with her own extraordinary talent and a pure, focused heart; naturally, she achieved twice the result with half the effort.

In contrast, the path of Body Refining was much harder. Since most of his good spirit materials and pills remained in the Memory Star Sea, attempting to cross the threshold of the Seventh Level was quite arduous.

He did not lose heart, however, and devoted himself to the hard work of forging his body, using techniques from his past life to make his flesh increasingly powerful.

On this night, while asleep, Xu Xuan felt a familiar aura—one that had just awakened.

"You’ve finally woken up."

Xu Xuan was stirred with excitement, staring at the ragged figure slowly coalescing in the starry sky.

"Huh!" The remnant soul from his past life reacted with a change in expression the moment he woke. "Something is wrong... Has anything unusual happened since I fell into slumber?"