CHAPTER 1037: CHAPTER 1034: XIMEN LONGTING’S SHOCK!

The news that Li Chen and Ximen Qingxue are about to reach Dragon Ascending Valley was sent ahead by Mu Changying via the Wind Snow Transmission Technique.

The first person to receive the news was Bai Xueqin!

Mu Changying is her disciple, so any news from him is immediately relayed to her.

After Bai Xueqin learned of the news, knowing its significance, she couldn’t make a decision alone, so she immediately went to Ice Dragon Castle to report to her brother, the Valley Master, who was in seclusion.

Ximen Longting was above Ice Dragon Castle, gazing over the endless ice fields.

Recently, he had a persistent twitching in his eyelids, feeling that something significant was about to happen.

Yet, for the moment, he couldn’t figure out what exactly it might be.

He just vaguely felt that these big events could very well be related to Li Chen.

It was precisely this detestable Li Chen who had run off with his treasured daughter Ximen Qingxue.

Once Li Chen makes any situation irreparable, it might implicate Qingxue, or even the entire Dragon Ascending Valley.

Back then, he had slapped his daughter in public and even threatened to sever their father-daughter relationship, largely because Li Chen was causing too much trouble, fearing he would make a colossal blunder beyond repair, thus forcing him to take such a drastic step.

Only by cutting off its arm like a warrior can Dragon Ascending Valley provide the True Immortal Alliance with a satisfactory explanation.

After all, Dragon Ascending Valley’s millennia-old foundation must not be destroyed by him alone.

Otherwise, when he meets the Ximen ancestors and forefathers underground, how would he face them?

From a standpoint of righteousness, he handled it well, and no one could find any fault.

But emotionally, he has wronged his daughter Ximen Qingxue.

She’s his only legitimate daughter, the treasure he held for fear she would fall, cherished so much it might melt in his mouth!

He is human too, with blood, flesh, and emotions, and his heart can hurt!

Leaving aside other things, just slapping Ximen Qingxue gave him heartache for several days. He even worried if the slap would leave a psychological scar on his daughter or if it might completely fracture their father-daughter relationship.

Thinking of these things made Ximen Longting hate Li Chen, the one who led his precious daughter away, to the core.

"Ah, if I had known earlier, I should have forcibly brought Qingxue back and kept her away from that devil Li Chen!"

Ximen Longting crossed his arms, speaking to himself with some regret.

"Senior Brother!"

Just as Ximen Longting was in self-blame, Bai Xueqin suddenly arrived.

Seeing it was Bai Xueqin, Ximen Longting hurriedly went forward to ask, "Junior Sister, you’re here. Do you have news about Qingxue?"

Bai Xueqin nodded and replied, "Changying and the others have found Qingxue. They’ll be arriving at Dragon Ascending Valley within a day or two. By the way, Li Chen will be coming along too!"

Upon hearing the name "Li Chen," Ximen Longting’s anger surged within him.

He brushed his sleeve vigorously, angrily saying, "Hmm, that unfilial daughter dares to return. And that Li Chen, does he not know he’s not welcome at Dragon Ascending Valley?"

Bai Xueqin knew her senior brother was feigning posturing, so she smiled mysteriously.

"Senior Brother, there are some things you might not know!"

Hearing Bai Xueqin’s words piqued Ximen Longting’s interest, and he asked, "What matters?"

Bai Xueqin said, "The rebellion in the Demon Clan has been quelled!"

"It’s subdued so quickly? That Black Demon King is really a waste!"

Ximen Longting’s expression showed some regret, not surprised that Demon Emperor Potian could quell the Black Demon King’s rebellion.

It was just unexpected that it happened so fast.

Their Dragon Ascending Valley was adjacent to the Demon Clan, and internal chaos in the Demon Clan was nothing but advantageous for them.

But now, before he could even experience any benefits from the Demon Clan’s turmoil, it was subdued by the Demon Emperor with lightning speed.

How could this outcome not leave him feeling regret?

However, Ximen Longting was only slightly disappointed about it.

After all, it was an internal affair of the Demon Clan, and no matter who controlled it, it wouldn’t greatly affect Dragon Ascending Valley.

Suddenly, Ximen Longting seemed to think of something and casually asked, "Junior Sister, could it be that this Demon Clan rebellion is related to that monster Li Chen as well?"

Bai Xueqin nodded vigorously, "Not only related, it’s quite significant. It’s said that the Black Demon King was defeated at the hands of Li Chen, leading to his great defeat!"

Hearing this, Ximen Longting was suddenly shocked.

"What did you say, the Black Demon King fought Li Chen and lost?"

Bai Xueqin nodded, "Yes, not only did the Black Demon King lose, but even Dao Luohen from the Mist Ghost Forest fell at Li Chen’s hands!"

"What, Dao Luohen is dead?"

Ximen Longting was alarmed, his eyes wide like bronze bells, full of disbelief.

He had never dealt with the Black Demon King but had crossed paths with Dao Luohen several times, deeply appreciating his Divine Skills, especially his Sword Skill, which had reached an unparalleled level.

Even he, Ximen Longting, in several encounters with Dao Luohen, could not gain the upper hand, with all ending in a draw.

But now, Dao Luohen had fallen to Li Chen, which was utterly unbelievable!

In other words, Li Chen’s strength has now surpassed Ximen Longting.

"Junior Sister, are you not joking?"

When asking this, Ximen Longting stared intently into Bai Xueqin’s eyes.

Bai Xueqin, unwilling to be outdone, met his gaze and replied, "Senior Brother, after multiple verifications, even if there are discrepancies, they shouldn’t be too significant. In any case, Dao Luohen died at Li Chen’s hands!"

It seemed as if the shock brought to Ximen Longting wasn’t big enough, Bai Xueqin, after a brief moment of contemplation, threw out an even more impactful bombshell.

"Senior brother, not only did Dao Luohen fall at Li Chen’s hands, but even the Heng Mountain Ancestor was taken down by him!"

"That’s impossible, right? The Heng Mountain Old Monster was known as the Heng Mountain Unoccupied Seat. Back then, five Nascent Soul Great Powers, including Tian Yazi and Jian Chen, joined forces to attack him, yet couldn’t break through his seat’s defense, watching helplessly as he escaped.

"How can Li Chen, alone, have killed him now? This is impossible, impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Ximen Longting refused to believe this shocking news.

Before Bai Xueqin could respond, he shook his head vigorously, repeatedly saying, "Impossible."

Bai Xueqin was not surprised by Ximen Longting’s intense reaction.

When she first heard the news, her reaction was even stronger. Only after triple confirmation did she slowly accept it.

"Senior brother, I also feel this matter is too bizarre, but it is absolutely true. Mu Changying and Qingxue saw it with their own eyes, it shouldn’t be false!"

"Moreover, Changying reported that Li Chen summoned three Divine Tripods to forcibly kill the Heng Mountain Ancestor!"

Upon hearing that Li Chen possessed three Divine Tripods, Ximen Longting was nearly shocked into dropping his jaw again.

"Li Chen, he, he, he only had two Yu Emperor’s Treasure Cauldrons, where did the third Divine Tripod come from?"

Bai Xueqin contemplated for a moment and said, "Senior brother, you’ve forgotten. The Demon Emperor Potian also had a Yu Emperor’s Treasure Cauldron!"

Ximen Longting’s heart was startled, urgently asking, "Junior sister, are you saying that the Yu Emperor’s Treasure Cauldron in the hands of the Demon Emperor Potian is now in Li Chen’s hands?"

Bai Xueqin paused slightly and replied, "That’s the only possibility, otherwise, it cannot be explained why Li Chen would help the Demon Emperor Potian defeat the Black Demon King!"

Ximen Longting pieced together the series of events in his mind.

Suddenly, he felt a chilling sense of creepiness.

To think, just half a year ago, Li Chen was merely a promising junior.

At the time, any Nascent Soul Strong People could easily pressure him into desperation.

But now, in just half a year, Li Chen has successively slain Nanhua Wudi, Dao Luohen, and the Heng Mountain Ancestor, top figures invincible across Jiuzhou.

If he continues to grow at this terrifying pace, it’s only a matter of time before Li Chen becomes the next Emperor Yu, breaks the shackles of the Heavenly Dao, and ascends to the legendary Immortal Realm.

Thinking of this, Ximen Longting shivered again, his eyes filled with intense joy.

It’s my daughter who has the foresight to have caught this heaven-defying potential stock, Li Chen, early on.

Even top powers like the Heng Mountain Ancestor, Nanhua Wudi, and Dao Luohen have all fallen in Li Chen’s hands successively.

With Li Chen present, why should he worry about the True Immortal Alliance’s accountability? Why fear them?

Moreover, the True Immortal Alliance isn’t exactly monolithic now.

Penglai Pavilion and Heavenly Sword Mountain are at each other’s throats vying for the position of Alliance Leader, completely unable to manage distant Dragon Ascending Valley.

If Li Chen truly could unify Jiuzhou like Emperor Yu, then wouldn’t their Dragon Ascending Valley also soar to great heights?

Bai Xueqin, seeing her usually composed senior brother visibly showing some loss of composure and excitement,

she carefully considered her words, cautiously asking, "Senior brother, since Li Chen is about to arrive, how should we respond?"

Ximen Longting, after a moment of contemplation, waved his sleeve and replied, "Open the Dragon Gate, Nine Music Welcoming!"

Upon hearing Ximen Longting’s words, Bai Xueqin was taken aback, doubting whether she had misheard.

Opening the Dragon Gate, Nine Music Welcoming!

This was the highest welcoming ceremony in their Dragon Ascending Valley, which was only performed when, back in the day, Tian Yazi newly became the True Immortal Alliance Leader and passed through Dragon Ascending Valley during his inspection of the Northern Territory.

As for other Heavenly Sect Leaders, even if Jian Chen of Heavenly Sword Mountain came, they would not enjoy this treatment, merely receiving Eight Music Welcoming.

But now, her senior brother was actually greeting Li Chen with the highest ritual.

And this Li Chen was currently the most wanted criminal by the True Immortal Alliance.

This action undeniably signifies a complete breakup with the True Immortal Alliance.

After a moment of shock, Bai Xueqin bit her lip and asked, "Senior brother, is it worth tearing apart the True Immortal Alliance, a giant force, just for one Li Chen?"

Ximen Longting did not directly answer Bai Xueqin’s question but stood atop the pavilion, gazing into the vast snowy plains.

"Junior sister, I’ve been pondering many things lately. Qingxue is my daughter and a member of our Dragon Ascending Valley. This is inherent, unable to be changed by anyone. It’s not something that can be severed by simply saying ’cut ties’. Since she has already made her choice, we can’t hold her back!"

After speaking, before Bai Xueqin could respond, Ximen Longting turned to look at her.

"Alright, let’s decide like this. Junior sister, I must trouble you once more. The task of welcoming Li Chen is entrusted to you!"

Bai Xueqin saw that Ximen Longting had already made up his mind, so she said nothing more.

She looked at Ximen Longting, her gaze as affectionate as ever.

"Senior brother, whatever decision you make, your junior sister will support you!"

Ximen Longting was no fool; he could clearly see Bai Xueqin’s deep affection for him over the years.

However, he still couldn’t forget his deceased wife and worried that Qingxue would not accept it, so he continued to let things drag on.

Seeing Bai Xueqin, Ximen Longting felt a wave of warmth overcome him.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and grasped her somewhat cold jade hand, saying, "Junior sister, you’ve been wronged all these years!"

Bai Xueqin was already moved to tears, her eyes slightly red, sparkling with tears...

...

Here is the 3600-word long Chapter, the author’s morning work, no separate Chapters. Now, it’s time for lunch, continuing writing in the afternoon!