Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1106 - 1106 0648 The Innkeepers Background_2

Chapter 1106: Chapter 0648: The Innkeeper’s Background_2 Chapter 1106: Chapter 0648: The Innkeeper’s Background_2 At first, we all wanted to establish good relations with Manager Chen, but as we noticed that Manager Chen kept avoiding us, our desire to connect with him gradually faded. Over time, we even subconsciously chose to forget about the existence of Manager Chen.

So much so that after centuries had passed, many people in the Imperial Family Secret Territory were unaware of Manager Chen’s existence. There were a few who were smug, claiming to be the First below Nascent Soul, not realizing that the true First below Nascent Soul was not them, but the reclusive Manager Chen. In front of Manager Chen, Yang Yongqi was nothing, just a slap could end his life.”

Although Qi Tian had never personally seen Manager Chen in action, Qi Tian had just utilized the detection capability of the Heavenly Dao Engine on Spirit Qi to surreptitiously observe Manager Chen.

Based on the feedback from the Heavenly Dao Engine, Qi Tian could assert with certainty that Emperor Jianwu’s words were not exaggerated at all. Manager Chen’s strength was indeed terrifying, and he very likely had the ability to kill Yang Yongqi with a single slap. In other words, if Manager Chen wished, he could similarly end Qi Tian with a single slap. This was something Qi Tian needed to be extremely cautious about.

Huoyang Emperor said, “Does anyone of you know why Manager Chen has gone to the Saint’s Tomb at this time? Did he go because we are planning to go to the Saint’s Tomb, or is there some other reason? Could it be for that woman by his side? If I remember correctly, a few days ago, a female cultivator secretly used Divine Sense to probe Chaoyang Palace and ended up being wounded by Yang Yongqi with the Wolf Teeth Knife. That female cultivator should be the woman accompanying Manager Chen, right?”

Emperor Bahuang said, “What exactly is Manager Chen up to? We better not speculate. Who does Manager Chen have by his side? And what purposes does he have? We should not jump to conclusions either, to avoid angering Manager Chen. Manager Chen is too terrifying. We should be very careful with any person or matter related to him and avoid any actions that might anger him. Should Manager Chen become enraged, none of us would be able to bear it.”

Emperor Jianwu and the others nodded repeatedly, unanimously agreeing with Emperor Bahuang’s statement, and Qi Tian was no exception.

Although Qi Tian was young, he had experienced a great deal and had long lost the hot-blooded impulsiveness of youth. In the face of a venerable person like Manager Chen, who possessed the strength to crush him, Qi Tian would definitely not act foolishly like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Qi Tian said, “Regardless of why Manager Chen wants to go to the Saint’s Tomb, we must find a way to avoid him and not travel the same path as him. Furthermore, Manager Chen might be very confident in his own strength or perhaps feel that we are not worthy to accompany him, which is why he hasn’t coerced us to join them. If he truly intended to force us to travel with them, then our fate would be unimaginably dismal. We should feel fortunate that we haven’t fallen into such a pitiful state.”

Emperor Jianwu and the others again nodded vigorously, clearly sharing the same thoughts as Qi Tian. The action described, of taking lower-level cultivators along to act as cannon fodder for scouting dangerous paths, was not uncommon in the Cultivation World. They themselves had done such things in the past. If Manager Chen were really to stoop so low as to capture them all and make them his cannon fodder, it wouldn’t be entirely impossible. After all, years ago, Manager Chen had even dared to kill a Prince; there is no reason to believe that he has changed over the years and lost his taste for killing.

Emperor Yonghe said, “Actually, Saint’s Tomb is neither too vast nor too small. With all of us and Manager Chen’s group entering Saint’s Tomb at the same time, there is a considerable chance of encountering each other. Whether Manager Chen will be as agreeable as he was now when we meet again is not so easy to determine. Master Qi, to ensure everyone’s safety, should we wait until Manager Chen and his group return from Saint’s Tomb before we enter? This way we can avoid meeting him, and by not meeting him, our safety would be somewhat guaranteed.”

After hearing this, Emperor Jianwu and the others’ eyes shone brightly as they stared at Qi Tian. Clearly, their thoughts were similar to Emperor Yonghe’s: they wanted to avoid another encounter with Manager Chen at all costs. To them, Manager Chen was like a nightmare, better avoided if possible.

Qi Tian pondered briefly. To him, Manager Chen represented a danger that could not be underestimated. If it were up to him, Qi Tian really wanted to accept Emperor Yonghe’s suggestion to postpone the exploration of the Saint’s Tomb. However, this thought lingered in Qi Tian’s mind for only a second or two before he dismissed it.

Qi Tian said, “We cannot cancel our own schedule and plans simply because Manager Chen has already entered the Saint’s Tomb. We do not know how long Manager Chen will stay inside the Saint’s Tomb. If it were only ten days, half a month, or even three to five years, we could indeed wait out this period. But no one can guarantee that Manager Chen will only stay for such duration—he might even stay for a longer time, for a dozen years or even several decades.”

“This is not an impossibility. Manager Chen has already reached the Half-step Nascent Soul level in his cultivation realm, with one foot stepping into the Nascent Soul Stage. As long as he can find the right opportunity, he will immediately be able, and then he will make a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage.”

“You all said that Manager Chen has always lived reclusively in the Imperial Family Secret Territory and does not interact with the outside world. This time, Manager Chen suddenly broke the norm and personally led a team to the Saint’s Tomb, especially with Wang Fengna by his side. This is all the more reason for us to pay attention. Do you think Manager Chen is confident that he will be able to find opportunities in the Saint’s Tomb?”

“He can firmly grasp the opportunity inside the Saint’s Tomb, then choose to breakthrough right there. How long do you think he will spend in the Saint’s Tomb to complete this entire process? Also, has Manager Chen cornered this opportunity for himself alone? Is it a one-time chance? Or is it a repeatable opportunity?”

“If it’s only available once, does it mean that once Manager Chen takes this opportunity away, no one else will ever be able to get it in the future, including all of you? If the opportunity can be repeatedly obtained, are you sure you will be able to get it? Is it possible for Manager Chen to take advantage of this rare moment, when he has no competitors, to snatch all the repeatable chances, or have each of his subordinates take one? After they have taken their share, will there be any left for the Princes?”

The eyes of Emperor Jianwu and the others turned red. Qi Tian’s analysis made them realize that Manager Chen’s entry into Saint’s Valley might very well be to find an opportunity that could enable a successful breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage—an opportunity that comes once in a hundred years. Such an opportunity could help someone advance to the Nascent Soul Stage—who wouldn’t want it?”

These Princes, without exception, intensely desired such a chance. Not to mention anything else, just the prospect of obtaining such an opportunity, breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage, and then doubling one’s lifespan, was an irresistible temptation. Who could resist it? Who could hinder them from seizing such a chance?

Qi Tian continued, “Manager Chen has been dwelling in the Imperial Family Secret Territory for hundreds of years, remaining inactive all this while, but now, he’s suddenly made a move. I’m fairly certain that the reason compelling him to do so must be within the Saint’s Tomb, most likely the opportunity that could enable his successful breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage.”

“Think about it: the reason why Manager Chen could stay in the Imperial Family Secret Territory for hundreds of years without taking any action is that he hadn’t encountered the motivation to make a move, and he had no desire to intervene. However, once he ascends to the Nascent Soul Stage, what is there within the Imperial Family Secret Territory that would be worthy of his attachment? What could make him maintain an inactive status for another few hundred years?”

“If nothing remains, what choice will Manager Chen make? Will he continue to stay put, or will he choose to leave the Imperial Family Secret Territory? If he chooses to leave, what could he possibly do before his departure?”