Nine-Patterned Soul-Calming Jade

Although Tu Fang tried to sound as calm as possible, Long Chen could guess that Tu Fang must have endured a fair amount of indignity.

That someone as upright and strict as Tu Fang had to suffer such indignity for his sake truly moved Long Chen.

"Child, you make us feel quite embarrassed," Tu Fang said with a hint of shame. Although he had fought for Long Chen, he hadn't succeeded after all.

Furthermore, fighting for the Supreme Disciple quota for Long Chen wasn't just for his benefit alone. Once Long Chen received Supreme Disciple treatment, his cultivation would skyrocket, and he would definitely achieve better results in the future branch academy ranking battles.

From a long-term perspective, this was also for the benefit of the branch academy, so when Long Chen bowed, both Ling Yunzi and Tu Fang felt their old faces burning.

"Long Chen, although I couldn't secure the quota for you, I can promise you that you may draw upon the resources of the branch academy as you please," Ling Yunzi suddenly said, gritting his teeth.

"This…" Tu Fang was startled and said with some hesitation.

"It is fine. If the main branch won't cultivate him, we will do it ourselves. As for any consequences, I will bear them," Ling Yunzi said decisively.

Tu Fang's expression changed slightly, but knowing Ling Yunzi's character, he knew that no one could change what he had said.

"In that case, many thanks, Senior," Long Chen thanked him again. He truly needed the branch academy's support right now.

He did not need Cultivation Techniques or combat skills, but he needed medicinal herbs—a large quantity of them—to condense the Yuheng Star.

Long Chen suddenly remembered something. After hesitating repeatedly, he finally gritted his teeth and took out his Soul-Suppressing Jade:

"May I ask if both Seniors know the origin of this jade pendant?"

Upon seeing the jade pendant in Long Chen's hand, Ling Yunzi and Tu Fang's expressions changed, their faces filled with disbelief.

Neither Ling Yunzi nor Tu Fang took the Soul-Suppressing Jade from Long Chen, but instead observed it in his hand for a long while.

"This should be the legendary Nine-Pattern Soul-Suppressing Jade. It is my first time seeing one. Long Chen, where did you get this jade?" Ling Yunzi asked.

"Forget it, don't tell me. Tell me what you want to ask?" Seeing that Long Chen was about to answer, Ling Yunzi stopped him. He did not want to know too much, as that would be disadvantageous to him.

Long Chen had just been hesitating about whether to reveal the origin of the jade pendant. Although he knew both of them were trustworthy, this matter was too far-reaching.

Seeing that Ling Yunzi did not ask, Long Chen breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader. Disciple wishes to know about the origin and function of this Soul-Suppressing Jade."

Ling Yunzi nodded and said, "Actually, the Soul-Suppressing Jade is a special type of artifact. Because it can withstand the power of the Soul, it has many functions.

In terms of Rank, it is divided into five stages, which are very easy to distinguish. Their Rank is determined by their color, in the order of white, blue, yellow, green, and purple.

After speaking of the Rank, let us discuss its texture. The Soul-Suppressing Jade is a naturally formed object that absorbs the power of heaven and earth, allowing it to cultivate just like a human.

Whenever it grows to a certain degree, a pattern will emerge. The more patterns it has, the more power of the Soul it can withstand.

The higher the Rank and the stronger the texture, the more powerful the Soul-Suppressing Jade is. However, most Soul-Suppressing Jades are used to make teleportation jade talismans.

Usually, a one-pattern Soul-Suppressing White Jade has a teleportation distance of 100,000 li, while a nine-pattern Soul-Suppressing White Jade has a distance of 900,000 li.

Although it is said that the Soul-Suppressing Jade is divided into five grades—white, blue, yellow, green, and purple—I have only seen white jade and blue jade; I have only heard of the rest.

The teleportation distance of the Soul-Suppressing Blue Jade starts at one million li, but blue jade is extremely precious. Our branch academy does not have any; only the main branch has it.

I have heard that yellow Soul-Suppressing Jade has other functions besides teleportation, but I am not clear on the specifics. As for this top-tier Nine-Pattern Soul-Suppressing Purple Jade, heh, there is no need to even mention it."

Long Chen was dumbfounded. The main branch possessed 108 branch academies and was a major power with a Legacy spanning hundreds of thousands of years, yet they only had blue jade.

Then this Soul-Suppressing Jade his parents left him was too terrifying. What kind of background did his parents have to leave him a top-tier Soul-Suppressing Purple Jade as a token?

This discovery made Long Chen both excited and sad. He was excited because he had a clue, but sad because this clue was too long—so long that he could not see the end, and he did not know when he would be able to unravel the mystery of his origins.

"Do not investigate your origins unless you stand at the Peak of the martial path."

In Long Chen's mind, the words left by that terrifying powerhouse echoed. So that was it.

He was still too weak right now. This news made Long Chen's mood slightly heavy. After bidding farewell to the Sect Leader and Tu Fang, Long Chen returned to the Heaven and Earth Society.

Tu Fang and Ling Yunzi watched Long Chen's retreating figure. Ling Yunzi sighed and said, "No wonder Long Chen is so mature at such a young age. It seems he carries much more than we imagined."

Tu Fang also sighed and said, "Indeed. Many people only see his powerful side; no one knows how much he has sacrificed behind the scenes for this strength."

"Sect Leader, are you really prepared to fully support Long Chen? Are you not afraid of the Karma of the Heavenly Dao?"

Ling Yunzi smiled slightly and said, "I am not afraid. Did I not say that I would bear all consequences myself?

I, Ling Yunzi, have no children, my Master has passed away, and I have no Disciples. So what if there is a backlash from the Heavenly Dao? At worst, it will take my life. Is that such a big deal?

To be able to witness the rise of an anomaly with my own eyes is in itself a Heaven-Defying Luck. Perhaps Long Chen appearing before me is also an arrangement by the Heavens.

Since no one knows the final outcome, why be so fearful? Let us just live with our eyes closed. Whatever happens, happens!"

Tu Fang smiled bitterly and said, "In any case, I cannot win an argument against you."

Ling Yunzi said, "The Heavenly Dao is difficult to fathom. The higher the Realm, the harder it is to understand the Heavenly Dao. Rather than trying to speculate about the Heavenly Dao, it is better to just do whatever one wants.

I want to exhaust all my strength to cultivate Long Chen. Hmph, what are those Dao-Deriving experts from the other branch academies? I look forward to the scene where Long Chen beats them until they are crawling on the ground looking for their teeth during the next grand competition."

"You have become addicted to gambling," Tu Fang said with some helplessness.

"I am a little addicted. I feel that my Bottleneck has loosened significantly recently. I might need to go into seclusion to break through the Bottleneck. This time, I feel I have a thirty percent chance of success," Ling Yunzi said, a flash of confidence appearing in his eyes.

"That high?" Tu Fang was shocked.

"Long Chen's great victory this time has ignited my confidence as well. Hmph, if I succeed this time, during the next grand competition, I will go and fiercely slap the faces of that group of old fogies," Ling Yunzi said with a cold snort.

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell Long Chen. Regarding the application for the Supreme Disciple status, he must not tell Senior Cang Ming. Otherwise, if Senior Cang Ming finds out, he will definitely storm the main branch," Tu Fang suddenly slapped his thigh and said.

"You are overthinking it. Long Chen is not a loose-lipped person. I believe he will not tell anyone about this," Ling Yunzi shook his head and said.

"I need to go into seclusion now. Matters within the branch academy are left to you. Remember, provide Long Chen with every convenience. Even if it means emptying out the branch academy, satisfy him," Ling Yunzi said.

However, although he said that, given Long Chen's character, he would absolutely not do anything excessive.

Tu Fang nodded and suddenly asked, "Then, what about Elder Sun…"

"Forget it, do not worry about it. Let Long Chen toss and turn however he likes; this is all his fate."

Tu Fang left Ling Yunzi's Immortal Cave and glanced at the scenery of the branch academy below. Although the scenery remained the same, Tu Fang felt that the entire branch academy was undergoing earth-shattering changes.

After Long Chen returned to the Heaven and Earth Society, the Disciples of the entire branch academy had already gathered in front of the Heaven and Earth Society, having set out wine and meat, just waiting for Long Chen to return.

When Long Chen arrived, all the Disciples cheered. Long Chen's originally repressed mood was swept away by everyone's enthusiasm.

"Boss, let me tell you, this group of brats is plotting to drink you under the table," Guo Ran, who was in the crowd, said with a sycophantic expression when he saw Long Chen coming over.

"Damn it, Guo Ran, you traitor, you defected so quickly?" someone couldn't help but say angrily.

"What are you joking about? I am absolutely of one mind with Boss. How could I collude with you all?" Guo Ran said, his face not turning red and without panting, looking righteous.

Looking at this scene, how could Long Chen not know what was going on? He laughed and said, "Is it not just drinking? Who has Long Chen ever been afraid of? Come, Guo Ran and I will take on all of you."

Seeing that Long Chen knew their goal and yet readily agreed, the crowd couldn't help but burst into cheers at his heroic spirit, which was exactly the same as the Long Chen on the battlefield.

"Come on, drink Long Chen under the table!"

"Brothers, charge!"

Tang Waner, Ye Zhiqiu, and other women, even if they did not like to drink, were all smiling as they held wine bowls, ready to charge up at any moment.

The victory in this great battle was not easy. More than half of the branch academy Disciples had sacrificed their lives. While everyone was excited, it was accompanied by heartache.

After returning, everyone had remained silent. Now that Long Chen had returned, everyone had found their backbone again and vowed to drink to their heart's content with Long Chen. This was also a form of catharsis.

Guo Ran saw that Long Chen knew everyone's goal and yet did not gather allies; it was completely different from what he had expected.

He had initially thought that Long Chen would pull the brothers of the Heaven and Earth Society to stand in a row and fight against the others.

But now, on the battlefield, he was the only one on Long Chen's side. His face turned green. His alcohol tolerance was not much higher than his appetite; this would definitely drink him to death.

Guo Ran suddenly shouted, "Brothers, I have just successfully infiltrated the enemy's interior and figured out the enemy's reality. I learned that Long Chen is all alone and has no outside help. Brothers, do not be afraid, charge with me!"

"Come, Boss, I offer you a bowl," Guo Ran said, holding a bowl of wine, his big radish-like face not turning red or pale.

"Damn it, Guo Ran, you are becoming more and more shameless," Long Chen couldn't help but curse.

"Boss, did I not learn this from you? A wise man does not fight when the odds are against him," Guo Ran said in a low voice and downed the wine in one gulp.

He said spiritedly, "Brothers, come on. I, Guo Ran, have already led the charge; the rest is up to you."

"Cut the crap."

A large hand pulled Guo Ran away, and Gu Yang appeared in front of Long Chen: "I, Gu Yang, admit that ten of me could not beat one of you, but I do not believe my alcohol tolerance is not as good as yours. Come, let us finish ten jars first."

Long Chen laughed and did not waste words. As long as someone offered a toast, regardless of whether they used a bowl or a washbasin, he would drink as much as they drank.

This time was different from the last time he drank with Shi Feng, Monkey, and the others. Last time, Long Chen had deliberately not used Qi to protect his body; otherwise, it would have been too bullying.

But this time, everyone was an expert, so he did not care and drank to his heart's content. Although they all started with the slogan of getting Long Chen drunk.

But who could wait for them to come one by one? They all started toasting each other, and in the end, everyone drank until they were lying on the ground asleep.

Long Chen also blacked out again. After sleeping for two days and two nights, Long Chen finally recovered his spirit. He felt that after a big bout of drunkenness, his whole person felt much more relaxed. Drinking alcohol did have its benefits.

Inside the room of the Immortal Cave, an ancient stone appeared in Long Chen's hand, and a sinister smile appeared on his face: It is time to do some real work.