Dashing Student Chapter 1360: News of the Ruins

Chen Nan saw no point in continuing the dialogue. Whether these individuals hailed from Golden Light Island or some other remote location, could they possibly surpass the stature of Master Canglan?

He had already crossed paths with Master Canglan, so why bother fretting over these insignificant minions standing before him?

The moment he ceased speaking, his frame blurred into a streak of lightning. Appearing instantly before the elder, he unleashed a crushing blow while the man watched in paralyzed terror.

The demonic projection manifesting in the void behind Chen Nan caused the group of young nobles to tremble uncontrollably, with more than a few on the verge of losing control of their bladders.

With a sickening thud, the formerly arrogant elder was sent flying like a discarded puppet, his trajectory carving a long, deep furrow into the earth.

As a plume of dust settled, Chen Nan pivoted to smile at the remaining men, though to them, that expression carried the grim finality of a predator.

"Retreat! None of us are a match for this monster. We must carry the report back to the Island Master!"

The surviving cultivators exchanged panicked glances and reached a consensus. They surged with their remaining Qi to briefly withstand Chen Nan’s Dragon Might, snatched the young noble, and bolted into the firmament.

"Master, do not allow them to escape! They will undoubtedly seek retribution against Luoyue Island!" Zhong Ling cried out urgently.

Chen Nan observed Zhong Ling with a flicker of intrigue. He had not realized that during his absence, Zhong Ling had matured significantly, truly embodying the spirit of a capable Island Master.

"Do not fret; they shall not vanish from my sight."

A flash of light revealed the Sun-shooting Bow in his grasp. He drew the string, nocked an arrow, and released a wave of intense mana that pulsed through the weapon.

"Fire!"

At Chen Nan’s command, twelve Jiao Long Arrows surged forth, transforming into ghostly dragon phantoms that shrieked as they bore down on the fleeing group.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sky ignited in a display of bloody ruin. The cultivators struck by the Jiao Long Arrows were obliterated into a crimson mist, denied even the mercy of a final cry.

The carnage chilled the young noble to his core, causing him to soil himself. Stained by the spraying viscera of his bodyguards, he shook violently in the sky.

From where had this ruthless demon emerged? In one heartbeat, his entire retinue had been annihilated. He had never witnessed such terrifying martial might.

In a daze of terror, he noticed Chen Nan gesturing for him to descend. Despite his trembling legs, he drifted slowly downward.

With a heavy thud, the young noble collapsed at Chen Nan’s feet, wailing, "Please, I beg of you, spare my life! I will never return to offer a marriage proposal again..."

Gao Xue pushed forward and delivered a swift kick to his ribs. "You still have the audacity to speak?"

Hurriedly scrambling up, the noble kowtowed repeatedly. "I shall say nothing more! I promise!"

Disgust welled up within Chen Nan as he coldly demanded, "Speak the truth. What is your actual motivation?"

The noble faltered for a second before spilling his guts like a leaking vessel.

His name was Lü Yi, and his father was none other than the Island Master of Golden Light Island, Lü Sheng.

His interest in the marriage proposal went beyond mere attraction to Zhong Ling; the cultivators of Golden Light Island had unearthed an ancient relic.

They had navigated the site at a heavy cost, and having suffered immense losses, they turned their greedy eyes toward Luoyue Island.

By forcing a marriage, they intended to bring Luoyue Island’s strength under their thumb, using the islanders as fodder for the ruins to preserve their own forces.

Gao Xue’s face contorted with rage, and she immediately rained punches and kicks upon the sniveling noble.

"Do you believe your lives have value while ours do not? You vile wretches, why don't you just expire?"

After she finished venting, the bruised and battered Lü Yi lay curled on the ground.

"Do not finish him yet; he must lead us to Golden Light Island," Chen Nan stated coolly.

Gao Xue recoiled in surprise. "Are you intending to...?"

"I intend to pluck the vines at the root, or Luoyue Island will forever live in the shadow of danger," Chen Nan replied as casually as if discussing the weather.

Zhong Ling and the others felt a chill, wondering if Chen Nan’s methods had become too extreme in his pursuit of total annihilation.

It seemed the Chen Nan who had returned from the crucible of war possessed a much darker, sharper killing intent.

However, they understood the logic; if they didn't act, Lü Yi’s father would inevitably come for blood, and they would be the ones to suffer.

Following a brief conference, Li Songnian remained to oversee the island, while Gao Xue and Zhong Ling joined Chen Nan on the trek to Golden Light Island.

...

"Master, why have you returned now? Will you be departing again?"

While flying through the clouds, Zhong Ling grilled him with endless curiosity.

Even with the "Scripture of the Hidden Talisman" as his guide, her progress with the "Myriad Phenomena Golden Core" had slowed her overall pace.

Nevertheless, due to the resources Chen Nan had left behind, Zhong Ling had managed to reach the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm, resting mere inches away from the threshold of the Nascent Soul.

The consumption of resources required to fuel a user of the All Things Spiritual Root was astronomical—enough to leave even Gao Xue speechless.

"Of necessity, I must depart. And you all are coming with me."

"Eh? Why?" Zhong Ling blinked, her expression a mix of innocence and confusion.

"I have crossed a dangerous individual. If you remain here, you will be unable to escape their search."

Gao Xue inquired with concern, "Who exactly are you up against? Perhaps we can assist in finding an answer?"

"The man is known as Master Canglan. He possesses a Ninth Layer Nascent Soul Realm cultivation and serves as an Elder for the Righteous Alliance," Chen Nan answered calmly.

Gao Xue and Zhong Ling were stunned into silence, their jaws hanging slack. Even the bound Lü Yi grew faint, nearly plummeting from his position in the air.

Master Canglan was a titan of legend. That Chen Nan had not only crossed him but lived to return was nothing short of a miracle.

Chen Nan offered a faint smile, opting not to elaborate. He had returned to secure the safety of his inner circle; as for the others, they could choose their own path.

Ultimately, his connections to the island were thin, and he doubted Master Canglan would waste time on the truly innocent.

"I understand," Zhong Ling nodded with sincerity. "If you desire me to go, then I shall go."

Shi Zhongsheng chirped from Chen Nan’s shoulder, squeaking rhythmically as if declaring, "Whoever bothers you answers to me!"

Chen Nan chuckled, stroking the monkey’s head before turning to Zhong Ling. "Your Five Elements Spirit Root is currently deprived of Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire. I have brought a substitute. It is not the most potent, but it will suffice for now."

"When you eventually cross paths with a superior flame, you can upgrade your core."

He gestured with his open palm to reveal a brilliant, golden flame—the Everlasting Flame.

As the intense heat emanated from the manifestation, Zhong Ling’s eyes brightened with immense joy. "Thank you, Master! I shall treasure it!"