The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2360 - 2349: There’s a Lead

The Ghost Venerable stood amidst the desolate ruins.

Upon his arrival at the valley, he immediately sensed the entire area. The aura of the Ice-Fire Blue Flame had completely dissipated, and no signs of life were detected within. Given that the Ice-Fire Blue Flame had already recognized him as its master, it was virtually impossible for anyone to have taken it. It must have either been consumed by another Heaven and Earth Flame or destroyed by an assailant.

The Ghost Venerable was enveloped in layers of dark spiritual energy. With a slight twitch of his arm, the black aura surrounding him dispersed instantly. He was clad in a long, black robe, and a hood obscured his face entirely.

A chilling wind suddenly swept through, dislodging the hood from the Ghost Venerable’s head.

His face was revealed to be a grim and unsettling sight, covered in conspicuous black bumps, with eyes that glowed green, emitting an aura that was profoundly disturbing.

The Ghost Venerable had cultivated an exceptionally nefarious technique, which, over time, gradually contorted his appearance to this grotesque form. He had attained the realm of Half-step Divine Venerable centuries ago, subsequently establishing a notorious reputation throughout the Ancient Realm. His disfigurement earned him the moniker, the Ghost Venerable.

The Ice-Fire Blue Flame was an entity the Ghost Venerable had subdued only after reaching the Half-step Divine Venerable level. At the time of its subjugation, it possessed merely the temperature of the Earth God Realm, and he had personally nurtured it over the ensuing years.

However, three years prior.

The Ghost Venerable began to sense the imminence of a breakthrough, holding the potential to enter the Early Divine Venerate Realm. Concurrently, he identified a location perfectly suited for his secluded cultivation. This chosen place, however, proved highly unsuitable for the Heaven and Earth Flame.

Consequently, the Ghost Venerable meticulously constructed a secluded valley specifically for the Ice-Fire Blue Flame in this very spot. He sealed it off, and the spirit grasses imbued with ice and fire attributes were all prepared for the Ice-Fire Blue Flame’s consumption.

Despite being subdued by the Ghost Venerable, the Ice-Fire Blue Flame had not originated within his body. This contrasted sharply with Ye Chenfeng’s Green Flame, which obeyed Ye Chenfeng’s every directive.

Over the course of three years, the Ice-Fire Blue Flame eventually succeeded in dismantling the valley’s concealment formation by its own efforts. Although the Ghost Venerable had ingeniously devised the valley’s defenses, even without the concealment formation, ordinary individuals would still find it exceedingly difficult to reach the chamber where the Ice-Fire Blue Flame resided.

Ye Chenfeng's ability to access the chamber was a deliberate allowance by the Ice-Fire Blue Flame. It had intended to devour the Green Flame upon sensing its presence but ultimately met its end by being consumed by the Green Flame itself—a consequence of its own scheme.

The Ghost Venerable's reputation within the Ancient Realm had always been abysmal. Known for his ruthlessness and lack of mercy, he was responsible for the demise of countless cultivators. Now, with his treasured Ice-Fire Blue Flame gone, how could he possibly tolerate such an insult? Furthermore, as a Seventh Rank Alchemist, the Ice-Fire Blue Flame held immense significance for him.

It was precisely due to his standing as an Alchemist that, notwithstanding his nefarious reputation, the Ghost Venerable had managed to forge alliances with several powerful individuals.

The Ghost Venerable’s emerald eyes fixed on the heavens as he uttered in a chilling tone, "Regardless of who you are, you shall come to understand the repercussions of crossing me, the Ghost Venerable."

As his declaration echoed.

Only a spectral afterimage of the Ghost Venerable lingered above the desolate landscape.

A moment later, even this lingering apparition vanished, and the Ghost Venerable’s current location became a complete mystery.

Onboard the Spirit Boat under the command of Cheng Yuanmu.

The sleek Spirit Boat glided forward with unwavering speed and steadiness. Even if the Ghost Venerable had crossed its path, he would remain oblivious to the fact that Ye Chenfeng’s Green Flame had been the one to consume the Ice-Fire Blue Flame, unless he personally witnessed the Green Flame’s current four-colored manifestation.

At the Spirit Boat’s present velocity, the journey back to the Chengs would require approximately five to six days.

Since embarking on the Spirit Boat, Cheng Yuanmu had maintained a persistent frown, his brow invariably furrowed with unease. Perhaps it was the innate intuition of an expert in the Divine King Realm, but he harbored a persistent feeling that something was amiss with the valley.

At this juncture, Zhu Zhize and his retinue had yet to overtake them, strongly suggesting they were still entangled in that very valley. Cheng Yuanmu and his companions would have faced insurmountable difficulties, almost to the point of impossibility, in departing without Ye Chenfeng's timely intervention.

Cheng Yuanmu had personally journeyed to this valley on this occasion with the specific intention of procuring a worthy gift. After all, a disciple from the Zhou family had previously expressed considerable interest in Cheng Yiyao, a proposal that he had unequivocally rejected.

Given the Chengs’ reliance on the Zhou family’s influence, the Zhous were constrained from acting too aggressively. Moreover, the particular Zhou family disciple who admired Cheng Yiyao, despite possessing some talent, was not among the most exceptionally gifted within the Zhou clan. Consequently, the Zhous elected not to retaliate against the Chengs over this minor issue, a calculation that Cheng Yuanmu had fully anticipated.

However, what Cheng Yuanmu hadn’t anticipated was that the direct patriarch of that Zhou family disciple had recently ascended to the Half-step Divine Venerable realm.

Initially, the Zhou family only boasted a single Half-step Divine Venerable. Now, with the direct patriarch of one of their disciples achieving this level, the Zhou’s influence had dramatically expanded.

Within the Ancient Realm, a Half-step Divine Venerable is indeed recognized as a significant figure.

Now, backed by a Half-step Divine Venerable, the preceding incident was almost certainly slated for a revisit during the Zhou family’s upcoming banquet, especially as the Zhou patriarch solidified his authority. This could serve as a stark warning to others, with the Chengs as the example.

Having offended a direct ancestor’s junior, the Chengs presented themselves as the ideal scapegoat to display dominance.

Consequently, Cheng Yuanmu desperately sought an impressively grand gift, hoping to appease the Half-step Divine Venerable and potentially alter the outcome of this predicament.

Yet, after extensively searching the valley without success, Cheng Yuanmu found himself increasingly anxious.

Time continued its relentless march.

Before long, three full days had elapsed.

Throughout these three days, the Spirit Boat journeyed onward without encountering any disturbances.

Naturally, during this intervening period, Ye Chenfeng grew more acquainted with Cheng Yiyao and the rest of the group.

Constantly harboring a desire for the Hundred-Heart Grass, Ye Chenfeng casually inquired about it from Cheng Yiyao during a conversation the previous day.

Although Cheng Yiyao couldn't pinpoint the reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of trust and affection towards Ye Chenfeng, despite his lack of spiritual energy.

Coincidentally, Cheng Yiyao had indeed heard of the Hundred-Heart Grass and had even encountered it before.

According to Cheng Yiyao, there appeared to be a few stalks of Hundred-Heart Grass within the Zhou family's herb garden. While it was rare, the Hundred-Heart Grass wasn't a commonly utilized herb.

The Zhou family had inadvertently obtained six plants of Hundred-Heart Grass and subsequently transplanted them into their own herb garden.

Cheng Yiyao had paid a visit to the Zhou’s herb garden some time ago and happened to have seen them.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the prepared, or perhaps, some things arrive when you least expect them.

Ye Chenfeng had merely made a casual inquiry, yet he had unexpectedly discovered a potential lead concerning the Hundred-Heart Grass. It seemed imperative for him to remain with Cheng Yuanmu's party, and a visit to the Zhou family was a necessity, as the Hundred-Heart Grass was something he absolutely required.

... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote and give monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)