Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit
Chapter 105 - 83 From Now On, No More Rivals in This World! [1st Update, Request for Monthly Pass!]

Chapter 105: Chapter 83 From Now On, No More Rivals in This World! [1st Update, Request for Monthly Pass!]

In five months, Chen Jichuan utilized Spirit Stones and Bivalve Pearls, gathering over eighty thousand points of Source Power.

He then spent this Source Power on nourishing the Five Ghosts, consecrating paper effigies, and training in the Divine Pouncing Saber, Taiyin Refining Body Technique, and Transforming Strength.

Exploring the Da Liang World.

Chasing advancements in the real world, embodying a sense of ’Whaling Cultivation’.

Inner Strength.

External Skills.

Daoist Skills.

Chen Jichuan pursued three paths simultaneously, making swift progress—

Innate.

Transforming Strength.

Soul Emergence.

Presently, even in the real world, Chen Jichuan stood as a Grade Eight Grandmaster. Cultivating all three paths at once, his strength far exceeded that of a typical Grade Eight.

"Inner Strength Eighth Layer, Innate Second Realm."

"At this stage, the Dantian expands to its limit, Inner Strength becomes abundant, combining with the ’spirit’ for constant refinement, eventually transforming into True Qi—’Innate True Qi.’ At this level, one gains the quality of endless vitality, making their power and stamina far stronger than a Seventh Grade Innate."

Wusheng Sect’s Wuu Guangquan, Lishui Gang’s Mo Qingdi, and Golden Sun Sect’s Chu Nan—

These three were all at Inner Strength Eighth Layer, Innate Second Realm, with formidable power.

For Chen Jichuan in the past, without having achieved the Soul Emergence Realm, attempting to assassinate the trio would have been close to impossible. Even with cautious measures, it might have taken one or two years, or even longer.

Just like when Five Ghost Daoist targeted Old Lady Ban back then.

If given such a prolonged timeframe, Chen Jichuan might as well have walked straight up to them and smashed them to death in person.

Thus—

Chen Jichuan first stirred conflict among the three factions, then waited for Wuu Guangquan and Mo Qingdi to battle each other. Taking advantage of the chaos, he secretly employed one of the 48 Techniques—’Golden Blade Flying Blade Skill’—to deal with Mo Qingdi.

The Golden Blade struck, causing Mo Qingdi unbearable headaches and dizziness.

In a fight between Grade Eight Grandmasters, a single lapse of focus could decide life and death. While Mo Qingdi was momentarily dazed, Wuu Guangquan seized the opportunity and killed him.

Later, Chen Jichuan repeated the tactic, using Wuu Guangquan to eliminate Chu Nan.

Poor Chu Nan—though he survived Wuu Guangquan’s fatal strike and retreated to Hidden Peach Valley, meticulous care could have helped him become a legendary one-armed master despite losing an arm.

But fate was unkind.

With Five Ghosts haunting him, he could only die in obscurity within Hidden Peach Valley.

When only Wuu Guangquan remained, lacking another Grade Eight Grandmaster to act as his blade, Chen Jichuan orchestrated internal chaos. Seizing the moment while Wuu Guangquan was unprepared, he struck him down.

In order to kill these three, Chen Jichuan exhausted all his schemes.

And this also underscored just how formidable Inner Strength Eighth Layer, Innate Second Realm truly was.

Now—

Chen Jichuan had become a person of equal standing.

"Innate power already ensures endurance in battle; Innate Second Realm allows for fights lasting three days and nights. Even when my True Qi runs dry, relying solely on my physical body, I can still hold my own against a Grade Eight opponent. Through Transforming Strength cultivation, every muscle can be used efficiently, conserving energy to the fullest. I could fight for seven days and nights without feeling fatigue."

Durability in prolonged battles?

Among Grade Eight, none surpass Chen Jichuan!

But for Chen Jichuan, who also practiced Daoist Skills, opportunities for close combat in the real world were rare. With Daoist Skills, he could hide in the shadows and kill with ease—why risk life and death in direct confrontation?

Back when he obtained the ’Five Ghosts Yin Soldiers Skill,’ Chen Jichuan declared: Mastering this skill would make assassinations effortless in the future!

And now—

His words had come true.

"Daoist Skill: Soul Emergence."

"Daoist Techniques grow stronger, and henceforth, no opponent shall remain in this world!"

Chen Jichuan was brimming with exuberance.

...

Days passed by.

October swiftly drew to its end.

Within the Martial Alliance, the Three Mountains and Six Ministries were organized, and many arrangements were systematically underway.

The Three Mountains Army was assembled to guard the outer counties.

The Six Ministries worked together, cleansing internal corruption and stamping out traitorous elements.

Among them was the former overseer of Black Prison—

Qian Lai!

...

"Qian Lai."

Chen Shaohu looked at the tightly bound and kneeling Qian Lai before him. To his surprise, he felt no anger in his heart.

The three factions had been manipulated by his fourth brother, merging into the Martial Alliance. Most of his old enemies had died in battles between the factions. The few survivors, following the Martial Alliance’s formation, were hunted down under Chen Jichuan’s orders, either in the open or covertly, and all were slain.

With Chen Jichuan’s authority—

Within the Martial Alliance system, whoever he targeted would be killed, all with a single command. After their deaths, the common people and lower-ranked Martial Alliance officials would remain oblivious, without any public uproar or consequences.

This was the power of privilege.

One swing of the blade, and another enemy fell—it was almost too convenient.

Most of his enemies had been dealt with by Chen Jichuan, leaving only Qian Lai, who was saved till the end and sent to Chen Shaohu.

"Spare me, my lord!"

"Spare me, my lord!"

Qian Lai knelt on the ground, firmly bound and unable to move. Seeing the four golden threads embroidered on the sleeve of the man before him, he understood this was a Fourth-Level Officer of the Martial Alliance, someone of significant status.

Standing before such a person, Qian Lai felt his heart plunge into icy despair.

He had no idea what offense he had committed against this man, leaving him filled with unease.

"Spare you?"

"Did you think about sparing me when you whipped me?"

Chen Shaohu shook his head.

Times had changed.

Back in Black Prison, Qian Lai whipped him, whipped his fourth brother, and whipped the mine slaves with ruthless malice.

But now, barely a year had passed, and here Qian Lai was, kneeling and pleading for his life.

The irony was profound.

"Whipped me—"

Qian Lai looked up at Chen Shaohu.

A year had gone by.

Chen Shaohu no longer slouched or bore a hunched back. His skin, once darkened from constant exposure to the sun, was now healthier. Moreover, his temperament had transformed dramatically through martial training and education.

Even Chen Jichuan, if he hadn’t seen Old Fifth for a year, might not recognize him at all.

How much more for Qian Lai?

"I didn’t whip you!"

Qian Lai nearly burst into tears, trembling with terror.

"Your denial means nothing to me." Chen Shaohu, seeing Qian Lai’s cowardly demeanor, lost interest; recalling his fourth brother’s words about villains dying from excessive chatter, he suddenly realized he was wasting words.

"I won’t waste my breath with you anymore."

Mixed with a sense of disgust, he refrained from speaking further.

Rubbing his hands together, flames sprang forth—

"Ah—"

Caught in the blaze, Qian Lai screamed in agonizing pain, fainting from torment only to be jolted awake again, dying and reviving in cycles of misery.

Soon enough, he truly perished, burned into a charred corpse left exposed in the wilderness.

"Is he dead?"

Chen Shaohu stepped forward and kicked the scorched head off Qian Lai’s corpse, sending it rolling far away before he nodded with satisfaction: "He’s definitely dead now."

Turning around, he began walking back toward Muhua County.

On the mountain path—

Looking up at the radiant sun in the sky, Chen Shaohu smiled. The last lingering shadow in his heart had finally been dispelled by the sunlight.

...

In the mountains—

"Not bad."

Chen Jichuan observed Chen Shaohu’s clean execution of burning Qian Lai and gave an approving nod.

When killing, one should speak less.

Why is it that assassins are often so cold and reticent?

Because those who talk too much are already dead.

The longer one delays, the greater the risk of complications.

Watching Chen Shaohu return to the city, Chen Jichuan also headed into Muhua County, making his way to the County Government.

"Lord Yangg."

"Lord Yangg."

Many greeted Chen Jichuan with respect as they passed him.

It had been almost a month since Chen Jichuan was appointed Guest Elder to the Martial Alliance. Most officials within the alliance knew of this ’Yangg Xiu’ Lord Yangg, aware that he was deeply trusted and valued by the three alliance leaders. None dared to be disrespectful.

Chen Jichuan, keeping a cold demeanor, ignored all greetings and headed straight to the rear hall.

Today wasn’t the alliance’s routine high-level meeting, held once every ten days—this was a special meeting. Only four people attended: the three alliance leaders and Chen Jichuan.

Wang Quan and Xue Zhong had already arrived.

In fact—

Mu Junxiong and the others always ensured they arrived before Chen Jichuan, signaling their reverence.

But today was unusual; Mu Junxiong was absent.

"Has Mu Mengzhu not arrived yet?"

Chen Jichuan sat down and asked Wang Quan and Xue Zhong.

"Not yet."

"Perhaps some matters detained him."

Wang Quan, in his forties or fifties, had a pleasant and amicable appearance, always behaving in a kind and easy-going manner.

Originally a newer member of Lishui Gang, Wang Quan joined about four or five years ago. This background made him stand out as a rare clean slate within the gang, allowing Chen Jichuan to select him as its leader.

"Then let’s not wait. Tell me directly—what’s going on with Tushan Ji and Yangg Qiu?"

Chen Jichuan cut straight to the point, addressing Wang Quan and Xue Zhong.

Two days ago—

Iron Leaf Island’s Island Master ’Yangg Qiu’ issued a challenge to Biqing Cliff’s Sect Leader ’Tushan Ji,’ proposing a duel on November 2nd at Lying Tiger Ridge, the junction of Heng Mountain, Linhe, and Jiuzhen counties.

Tushan Ji accepted the challenge.

He also invited Shi’an County’s three Martial Alliance leaders, Wenyang County’s Zhou Family Master, as well as the Five Immortals Sect Hierarch, to spectate.

Invitations were dispatched overnight and delivered to the alliance yesterday.

"I am unclear."

"Biqing Cliff and Iron Leaf Island have always been at odds but have kept a low profile for the past half year. This sudden fight initiated by Yangg Qiu is perplexing."

Wang Quan looked puzzled as well.

Biqing Cliff and Iron Leaf Island were by far the strongest forces, with the former occupying Heng Mountain and Linhe, while the latter had swiftly conquered the western and northern edges of Yongg State, including Xunde, Dingchuan, Funan, and Jiuzhen counties.

In such a vast region—

The two factions were paramount.

Their leaders, ostensibly orchestrating battles from behind the scenes, rarely engaged directly. This public duel was highly unusual.

"Tushan Ji has always been prudent and reserved, seldom making moves, but his strength should not be underestimated."

"The same goes for Yangg Qiu—he remains secluded on the island and rarely strikes."

"This challenge seems suspicious and may be aimed at Shi’an and Wenyang counties."

Xue Zhong, meticulous and shrewd, narrowed his small eyes and speculated to Chen Jichuan: "Among Yongg State’s eight counties, four belong to Iron Leaf Island, two to Biqing Cliff, leaving only Shi’an and Wenyang unclaimed. This duel may very well be a ploy to lure us into Lying Tiger Ridge for an ambush. Once Shi’an and Wenyang are leaderless, dividing them will be easy for the two factions."

Xue Zhong, always calculating, did not shy away from considering the worst intentions behind Yangg Qiu and Tushan Ji’s actions.

"It’s possible."

Wang Quan nodded in agreement.

"Just don’t go."

"Their fight has nothing to do with us, and watching it accomplishes nothing."

Chen Jichuan casually dismissed the idea, though he himself remained uncertain about the true motives underlying this duel.

But as long as they didn’t attend—even if Iron Leaf Island and Biqing Cliff were up to something nefarious—they would still have to contend with Shi’an County and the Martial Alliance directly, facing real confrontation.

However—

While outwardly advising Wang Quan and Xue Zhong against attending, Chen Jichuan had his own ways to observe the battle.

"If there’s a chance—"

He considered scheming to leave Yangg Qiu and Tushan Ji injured and depleted. That would grant the Martial Alliance more days of peace and stability while allowing him to further his cultivation unhindered.

Deep in thought—

Outside the room—

Mu Junxiong rushed in, no longer displaying his usual gentleness. Instead, his expression was stern, his luxurious attire slightly disheveled, even marked with dirt along the hem—a significant breach of decorum for someone like him!

In such a state—

Something major had surely occurred.

"My lord!"

Indeed, upon entering, Mu Junxiong hastily bowed toward Chen Jichuan and delivered urgent bad news—

...