Super Combat Soldier
Chapter 739 - 738 【The Top Bun House in the World】

Chapter 739: Chapter 738 【The Top Bun House in the World】

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Songshan Town, a small settlement that was left from the age of Ancient Earth, was home to a group of ordinary people during an era when cultivation flourished, Martial Artists abounded, and countless mighty beings existed. Even after the earth became unsuitable for cultivation, after the spiritual energy dried up, and many powerful beings had left the Earth through the Transmission Array, the people of the town continued to live on. Generation after generation, they preserved the ancient architecture and lifestyle. This small town became the only settlement in the Songshan Ancient Martial World and was protected by many Martial Artists. With food, drink, and entertainment available, it became a favored place for many Martial Artists and a major hub for information gathering.

Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng entered the town of Songshan, where Ye Tianchen’s powerful Divine Sense allowed him to detect many hidden experts within this small town that consisted of just a few streets. Most of them concealed their cultivation, unnoticed by others. The most conspicuous among the bustling streets paved with blue stone slabs were the disciples dressed in the attire of the Songshan Sect. Each one had a face full of arrogance, as if the town of "Songshan" belonged to their Songshan Sect, and as if the entire Ancient Martial World of Songshan—and perhaps even the whole Earth—belonged solely to them, which was quite annoying.

"The disciples of the Songshan Sect are all highly skilled in cultivation. No wonder Bei Lengshi dares to dream of dominating the Ancient Martial World," Ye Tianchen commented.

"Bei Lengshi of the Songshan Sect has reached the Early-stage Martial Saint in cultivation. He is among the top experts in the Earth’s Ancient Martial World. Though some sects have long lineages, their Absolute Divine Skills are either incomplete or lost. Coupled with individual talent and the Earth’s unsuitability for cultivation now, reaching the Early-stage Martial Saint is an almost heavenly feat," Dongfang Meng said, unable to hide her astonishment.

For Ye Tianchen, who had only recently come into contact with the Earth Ancient Martial World, he understood the implications of what Dongfang Meng said. He intended to rescue Tian Boguang from the Songshan Sect, knowing that it would not be possible without a solid plan and strategy. A direct confrontation to rescue Tian Boguang was out of the question, as Ye Tianchen’s cultivation level was only at the Mid Martial Venerate, while Bei Lengshi was at the Early-stage Martial Saint; even if Ye Tianchen reached a state where he could fight across levels, it was unlikely he could match Bei Lengshi.

"Don’t worry, I won’t confront him directly. Sometimes it’s about outsmarting, sometimes about direct confrontation. That’s the way of the wise," Ye Tianchen reassured.

"That’s good, and when the time comes, Master Feng Qingyang of the Huashan Sect and One Sword Daoist of the Wudang Sect won’t just stand by and watch. Unfortunately, Master Fang Zheng..." Dongfang Meng said with some nostalgia.

Ye Tianchen clenched his fists tightly. Master Fang Zheng had put his life on the line in hope that Ye Tianchen would inherit the Yijin Jing, not just for his own cultivation but because Master Fang Zheng, a kind and compassionate elder, wished to prevent a bloodbath in the Ancient Martial World and pinned all his hopes on Ye Tianchen.

"I won’t let Bei Lengshi succeed. I will dedicate my life to understanding all the Divine Arts and Absolute Skills written in the Yijin Jing," Ye Tianchen pledged earnestly.

"Right, let’s find a crowded place and see if we can pick up any news," Dongfang Meng suggested, nodding.

As they continued forward, Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng hadn’t walked far when they heard someone shouting ahead, as if hawking something.

"Look, see, smell, taste, the number one bun shop under the heavens has fresh buns out of the oven!"

A person dressed as a waiter stood in front of a wooden building, calling out loudly, attracting many curious onlookers. Delicious scents drifted from within. The wooden building was three stories high, seemingly divided by social and economic status—a common separation in all societies. In the Mortal World, if you didn’t have the wealth or power of others, you were inherently inferior and couldn’t enjoy the finer things. The same applied in the Ancient Martial World; without high cultivation, one was simply a target, even risking their life. Such were the rules of the world, which everyone had to adhere to.

"Wow, these buns smell amazing!"

"I really want to go in and eat."

"We can’t afford it. I heard that each bun here costs one Spirit Stone. We ordinary people would rather use whatever Spirit Stones we have to exchange for daily necessities. Who can spare so many Spirit Stones?"

A few ordinary people gathered in front of the "Best Bun Shop Under the Heavens", salivating over the enticing smell, which made people feel an urge to rush inside immediately.

"Don’t even think about it. Do you know who owns this bun shop?" a middle-aged man asked with an air of someone who knew the world well.

"Who owns it?" someone inquired.

"Ao Yanran, the granddaughter of Ao Wushuang," the middle-aged man replied with utmost respect.

"What, really her?"

"She is a great beauty of the Ancient Martial World. Not only is she lovely, but the reputation of Ao Wushuang is also..."

A group of people chattered among themselves, but Ye Tianchen had no idea what was happening and looked at Dongfang Meng with confusion. Dongfang Meng smiled slightly and pulled Ye Tianchen aside, saying, "Ao Yanran is a great beauty in the Ancient Martial World. Perhaps she isn’t as stunning as Qing Chengyue, but she has many admirers. Most importantly, her grandfather, Ao Wushuang, was once a figure who dominated the Ancient Martial World, sweeping across it in a rage. Almost everyone in the Ancient Martial World knows of him!"

"That powerful? How come you’ve never mentioned him before?" Ye Tianchen asked.

"Ao Wushuang was a loose cultivator with no sect affiliation. Over three hundred years ago, he was already an unbeatable force throughout the Ancient Martial World. At that time, figures like Bei Lengshi of the Songshan Sect and Du Tianqi of the Five Poison Sect hadn’t yet risen to prominence. Ao Wushuang was once considered a peer of Master Fang Zheng, the Elder Feng Qingyang, and One Sword Taoist. But for some unknown reason, he disappeared thirty years ago and has never been seen in the Ancient Martial World since. Some say he passed away, having exhausted his lifespan; others claim that Ao Wushuang succumbed to demonic cultivation, teetering on the verge of utter destruction..." Dongfang Meng explained.

"It seems this Ao Wushuang was a master. His granddaughter opening a restaurant now must have some hidden purpose..." Ye Tianchen speculated with a smile.

"A scheme?" Dongfang Meng couldn’t help but ask incredulously.

"Why don’t we go in and find out?"

Having said this, Ye Tianchen walked towards the entrance of "The World’s Best Dumpling House," leaving Dongfang Meng startled. She quickly caught Ye Tianchen’s arm and asked incredulously, "I don’t have any spirit stones, do you?"

Clearly, Dongfang Meng doubted Ye Tianchen would have any spirit stones. Spirit stones, essential for a martial artist’s cultivation, contain nature’s spiritual energy. With spirit stones, cultivation would naturally be much more potent than tempering the scattered spiritual energy of the world. Earth had long since become unsuitable for cultivation after so many millennia; if there were any spirit stones left, they would only be found within the ancient martial sects, not likely in the hands of ordinary people or martial artists.

"I don’t have any either!" Ye Tianchen said with a smile.

"Then you dare to go in? You planning to dine and dash?" Dongfang Meng asked, surprised.

"Let’s discuss that later. Let’s go in first. I feel there might be some information we need inside." Having said this, Ye Tianchen already stepped in, leaving Dongfang Meng stunned for a moment before she followed, wondering what he was up to.

Ye Tianchen and Dongfang Meng entered "The World’s Best Dumpling House," and a waiter immediately came over to greet them respectfully, asking, "Would you prefer to sit downstairs or upstairs?"

The waiter’s question made it clear, even for someone not familiar with the Ancient Martial World like Ye Tianchen. Obviously, the ground floor was meant for ordinary folks, while the second and third floors were for distinguished guests, those with profound cultivation. By asking this, the waiter aimed not to offend anyone.

It might be said that Earth had been unfit for cultivation for a long time, but there were still numerous ancient martial sects around, so these sects still had some reserves of spirit stones. And the Earth’s Ancient Martial World wasn’t just limited to the Songshan area; there were other locations that might hide cultivation families. The number of people entering the second and third floors of "The World’s Best Dumpling House" was substantial. Ye Tianchen could sense the powerful auras—these individuals surely possessed quite a few spirit stones.

"Naturally the third floor. Or did you think I would choose the second floor?" Ye Tianchen asked disdainfully.

"Of course not, of course not. However, there’s a rule in our dumpling house. If you wish to go to the third floor, one spirit stone is required as a deposit. I wonder..." the waiter said with a smile.

Slap!

A resounding slap sent the waiter flying. Not only was Dongfang Meng frozen in shock, but the passing crowd was too, unsure of what had just happened. They hadn’t expected anyone to dare make trouble here. Didn’t they fear that Ao Wushuang might still be alive and could easily crush them with a flick of his finger?

"Who is this, causing trouble here?"

"This is Ao Yanran’s restaurant. Aren’t they afraid that her grandfather Ao Wushuang is still alive?"

"Even if Ao Wushuang has passed away, no one would dare to lay a hand on Ao Yanran."

"Indeed, Ao Yanran is Bei Wei’s beloved, and Bei Wei is Bei Lengshi’s son, the future successor of the Songshan Sect. To cause trouble here is truly seeking death!"

The crowd discussed among themselves, all somewhat worried about Ye Tianchen’s rash action. Meanwhile, Ye Tianchen looked calm and smiled at the waiter, saying, "I am a man who understands rules well but I don’t like to abide by some absurd ones, especially unreasonable rules..." (To be continued. If you like this piece, welcome to vote and support at qidian.com. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)