142. Who Is Ling Qingzhu

---

“Father, why didn’t you tell him that the Flame Divine Palace is looking for him?”

After Chen Xuan left, Tang Dongling asked curiously.

Tang Feng pondered for a moment. “Right now, we don’t know why the Flame Divine Palace is looking for him. What if it’s for something bad? Offending someone this powerful wouldn’t be worth it.”

Tang Dongling nodded, half understanding.

“Alright, go make the arrangements.”

“Yes.”

Watching Tang Dongling’s retreating figure, Tang Feng fell into deep thought.

Chen Xuan is incredibly strong!

If they could somehow recruit him into the Heavenly Merchant Pavilion, not only would they dominate the Chaotic Demon Sea, but even the Tianxuan Continent would respect them as a renowned trade association!

One thing was clear to him—Chen Xuan didn’t seem to have any improper interest in his daughter. From beginning to end, he hadn’t even glanced at her directly!

Could it be that he doesn’t like women?

The only way forward was to help him find the people he was looking for.

Thus, the Heavenly Merchant Pavilion issued a reward notice:

Anyone providing information on Ying Huanhuan and Ying Xiaoxiao would be rewarded with a Divine Martial Art manual.

Anyone who could bring them directly to the Pavilion would receive a Heavenly Martial Art manual.


This announcement was like dropping a bomb in the Heavenly Trade Domain, sparking a frenzy.


---

“What… what’s going on?”

“Flame Palace is looking for Chen Xuan, and now the Heavenly Merchant Pavilion is searching for two women.”

“Could it be… does the Heavenly Merchant Pavilion’s young mistress have certain preferences?”

“Wait… you mean she doesn’t like men and prefers women?”

“Hey, hey, hey! I didn’t say that—you did! It has nothing to do with me!”

“Hahahaha!”

“Do you think there’s some connection between the people these two powers are searching for?”


---

Speculation ran rampant, and news spread quickly across the Heavenly Trade Domain, Heavenly Wind Sea Domain, and Heavenly Thunder Sea Domain.

People began combining their efforts, searching for everyone simultaneously. Soon, notices were posted everywhere.


---

Meanwhile, a rumor emerged from the Heavenly Thunder Sea Domain about the Thunder Ancestral Symbol. Since ancestral symbols were considered divine artifacts, a treasure that could rival even the Flame Palace’s Mo Luo, many treasure hunters flocked there, hoping to kill two birds with one stone.


---

A few days later, outside the Reincarnation Cave in the Heavenly Thunder Sea Domain, it was already a bustling scene.

Various factions like the Blood Blade Sect, Nine Nether Gate, and Xuantian Hall had gathered, either to claim the treasures of the cave or to try their luck finding the people Flame Palace and the Heavenly Merchant Pavilion sought.

As the key to the Reincarnation Cave appeared, a ripple spread across the sky above the island.

Suddenly, a white-robed figure materialized in mid-air.


---

Upon seeing him, someone immediately shouted, “You’re Chen Xuan, aren’t you?”

“The Flame Palace is looking for you! Come with me!”

“Follow me! I’ve already promised the Flame Palace I’d bring you in!”

“You have no choice—come with me!”

“Haha, friend, don’t trust them! They’re all schemers!”


---

Amidst the commotion, a burly man stepped forward, each step causing the ground to quake.

He pointed at Chen Xuan and bellowed, “Chen Xuan! Don’t force me to act! Come with me, now!”

When Chen Xuan didn’t respond, the man’s expression darkened. “Alright, punk, so you’re asking for it!”

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Xuan simply pointed a finger and coldly uttered a single word: “Leave.”

The next instant, a blazing white lightning bolt descended from the sky.

Boom!

The burly man was instantly reduced to charred remains, his soul scattered into the void.

The crowd fell silent in shock.


---

Chen Xuan’s icy gaze swept over them. “Your treasure hunt ends here. Leave the cave key, or die.”

His domineering tone left no room for negotiation.


---

Within the Xuantian Hall, a white-robed woman watched the scene unfold. One of her guards whispered, “Saintess, this man is too arrogant. Should we teach him a lesson?”

The woman’s soft, ethereal voice responded, “If you want to die, be my guest.”

Hearing this, the guards quickly retreated, trembling.


---

However, the Nine Nether Gate and Blood Blade Sect were less willing to back down.

One of their leaders, Pang Hao, sneered. “I am Pang Hao of Nine Nether Gate. My master is a Samsara Realm expert. If you don’t want trouble, back off now!”

The Blood Blade Sect’s Lu Zong added coldly, “Our sect leader is also in the Samsara Realm. Do you think you can scare us off so easily?”

The two men sneered, assuming their combined forces would be enough to intimidate Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan’s response was swift. He took a single step forward.


---

Boom!

A terrifying energy burst forth, transforming into two arrows of pure force that shot toward the two factions.

The Nine Nether Gate and Blood Blade Sect members scrambled to defend themselves, but their efforts were futile.

In mere seconds, their defenses were shattered, and they were obliterated into blood mist, scattered into the sea.


---

The crowd stood frozen, their faces pale with fear.

At this moment, a white-robed woman stepped forward. Her ethereal grace was unmatched, her flowing dress making her seem like an otherworldly being.

She bowed slightly and spoke in a soft, melodic voice, “Sir, I am Liu Xiangxuan, the Saintess of Xuantian Hall. I possess the key to the Reincarnation Cave and wish to present it to you.”

As she handed over the key, Chen Xuan turned his gaze toward her and was momentarily taken aback.

Her beauty rivaled the most stunning women he had ever met.

Only Ling Qingzhu.

Unfortunately, she walks a path less traveled.

She lives on the green grasslands, happy to provide grass for cattle and horses.

With a casual wave of his hand, Chen Xuan grabbed the silver tower into his palm. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Liu Xiangxuan noticed that Chen Xuan wasn’t saying much.

She gave an awkward smile.

Over the years, she had always been confident in her beauty and figure.

The number of people pursuing her could line up from the Thunder Sea all the way to the Heavenly Merchant Region.

With just one word from her, countless men would willingly risk their lives for her.

But this time?

She was met with indifference from Chen Xuan.

With her taking the lead, the remaining two silver tower keys were also offered up by other powers, eager to save their own lives.

They had no wish to follow in the footsteps of the Nine Nether Gate and Blood Blade Sect.

How foolish would that be?

In mere minutes, with almost no effort, he collected all the silver tower keys that the other factions had worked so hard to obtain.

What defines a gap in strength?

Well, this is it!

Seeing him collect all the keys, Liu Xiangxuan stepped forward and suggested, “Senior, the Reincarnation Cave won’t open for a while yet. Why not rest at our place in the meantime?”

She intended to use this opportunity to form an alliance with Chen Xuan.

“No need. I have my ways to enter,” Chen Xuan replied, declining her offer.

To the others, Chen Xuan’s attitude came off as ungrateful.

Whispers began circulating among them.

“This Chen Xuan is so arrogant!”

“Well, he is a Samsara Realm expert.”

“So what if he’s at the Samsara Realm?”

“I heard that Samsara experts can’t even enter the Reincarnation Cave!”

“Yes, I’ve heard that too.”

“I’d like to see how he plans to get in!”

“Better not fail and make a fool of himself…”

“Shh! Watch your words!”

…

Chen Xuan simply pointed at the void in front of him.

The space rippled and distorted.

Under everyone’s shocked gaze, he stepped through and disappeared.

The entire area fell silent.

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!

Without any key, without any preparation, he vanished into thin air!

How did he do it?

After entering the Reincarnation Cave, the system inventory lit up.

On the collection map of ancestral symbols, four ancestral symbols began to glow fiercely.

Understanding the situation, Chen Xuan ignored all the treasures within the cabe and headed straight for the main hall.

The main hall stood atop a massive staircase of ten thousand steps.

It was vast and majestic.

Upon reaching it, Chen Xuan wasted no time, sweeping everything into his system inventory.

Even the silver scepter held by the Thunder Emperor’s statue wasn’t spared.

Using the silver tower keys, he activated the Thunder Realm.

With a single step, he entered a world filled with thunder.

The Thunder Realm.

Yet, as soon as he arrived, a monstrous aura surged from the depths of the thunder sea.

A dark, malevolent mist condensed into a human form.

“Hehehe, another one has come to seek death? This king can finally have some fun!”

“A mere low-tier King-level demon dares speak such arrogance?”

“My kin are already preparing to rescue me. You humans will soon become our slaves!”

Hearing this, Chen Xuan asked abruptly, “Do you know Ling Qingzhu?”

Ling Qingzhu?

The name seemed unfamiliar to the demon king.

But upon seeing Chen Xuan’s expression, the demon king sneered.

“Oh? Did she beat you up? Hehehe, useless creature!”

“Is Ling Qingzhu one of your kind?”

“Hehehe, no comment!”

“Not talking? Then don’t blame me for being rude!”

With a grab, Chen Xuan summoned the Tetanus Blade into his hand.

The demon king laughed coldly.

“A mere human? Even without reinforcements, I’ll crush you myself!”

“You? You’re not worthy.”

“Is that so? Let’s see if you’re still boasting when I crush you!”

As the demon king unleashed a surge of dark energy, a voice echoed from the top of the altar.

“Finally, after centuries of waiting, someone has arrived!”

With these words, the figure seated on the throne opened his eyes.

In an instant, bolts of lightning rained down from the heavens.

“Thunder Emperor! You’re still alive, you coward!”

The demon king roared in rage.

Facing Chen Xuan alone, the demon king was fearless.

But with the Thunder Emperor in the mix, things became uncertain.

The Thunder Emperor chuckled.

“I only lingered to help you find release.”

“You want to destroy me? Dream on!”

The demon king unleashed a massive sphere of black energy, radiating malice like a dark sun.

“Enough noise!”

Chen Xuan snorted coldly, extending his hands.

A terrifying aura erupted from his palms.

Four ancestral runes, each glowing with a different color, floated into the air.

“What?! Four ancestral symbols?!”

For the first time, the demon king showed fear.

Even the Thunder Emperor was stunned.

[Ding! The Thunder Emperor feels shock and disbelief. Emotional value +999.]

Chen Xuan formed a seal, and beams of light shot from the symbol.

The beams pierced the thunder sea and obliterated the demon king’s dark sun in an instant.

The ancient, sealed demon king was annihilated in moments.

“No! I refuse! I won’t die like this! Argh!”

The demon king’s screams of despair echoed across the Thunder Realm.

“This…”

The Thunder Emperor was utterly dumbfounded.

He had waited centuries for someone to help him defeat the demon king.

But now, the demon king had been effortlessly eliminated by this young man.

And that wasn’t all.

Chen Xuan now possessed four ancestral runes.

Adding the Thunder Rune left behind by the Thunder Emperor, he had five ancestral symbols in total.

Could he ascend to become the Symbol Ancestor?

If so, it would be a great blessing for the Tianxuan Continent!

Chen Xuan bowed to the Thunder Emperor.

“Thank you for your gift, Senior.”

“Careful, that Thunder Symbol…”

Before the Thunder Emperor could finish, Chen Xuan directly absorbed the symbol!

What?

The Thunder Emperor was at a loss for words.

It had taken him 100,000 strikes of lightning to refine the rune.

He had nearly died in the process.

“What’s wrong?”

Chen Xuan asked, raising his head.

“Nothing…”

The Thunder Emperor smiled wryly.

“To think I’d see such a talented individual before my end. I believe you will become the next Symbol Ancestor—or even surpass him!”

With these words, the Thunder Emperor’s form dissolved into light and disappeared.

Having obtained the Thunder Rune, Chen Xuan now lacked only three runes: the Life-Death Symbol, the Flame Symbol, and the Ice Symbol held by Ying Huanhuan.

Next, he planned to return to the Heavenly Merchant Pavilion to check on Ying Huanhuan’s whereabouts.

If they hadn’t found her, he’d visit the Flame Divine Temple to ask for their help.

And while he was at it, he’d continue the search for the Life-Death Symbol!