[Ding! You have successfully improved the perception of the unpursued heroine, Nangong Wan, towards you, while also reducing her regard for the protagonist, Fang Yuan. Protagonist Fang Yuan’s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 600 points!]
[Ding! You have successfully improved the perception of the unpursued heroine, Shangguan Ning, towards you, while also reducing her regard for the protagonist, Fang Yuan. Protagonist Fang Yuan’s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 600 points!]
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēwebnovel.com.
[Ding! You have slightly influenced the mental state of the protagonist, Fang Yuan. His Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!]
[Ding! You have accumulated 3000 points of Villain Value!]
The sound of four system notifications rang in Jiang Chen’s mind, filling him with a surge of triumph.
He then turned his gaze towards Fang Yuan. However, what he saw was Fang Yuan’s expression twisted into an awkward, forced smile, more repulsive than if he had swallowed something foul.
Fang Yuan had intended to use this opportunity to sow discord between Nangong Wan, Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen. However, the outcome was entirely unexpected. Instead of creating rifts, it was Jiang Chen who received praise from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. As for Fang Yuan, his performance during the speech turned out to be embarrassingly foolish and insignificant, a complete fiasco!
At that moment, Jiang Chen’s expression was a mix of surprised pleasure and humble discomfort as he spoke, "I must respectfully decline the compliments, esteemed seniors, for I fear they are undeserved."
He then carefully held out the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill between his palms and earnestly implored, "Junior Sisters Ruxue and Xiaojing are in critical health. I beseech the two respected seniors to suggest a method of healing."
"Very well. We will accept the pill you have offered," Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning responded in unison.
Immediately after, a gentle, captivating force emanated from the Soul Embodying Ring, slowly drawing the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill toward it.
After securing the pill, Shangguan Ning’s voice resonated once again as she began to outline a possible solution, "There is indeed a way to save your junior sisters, though it is not without its challenges. In our Everlasting Baseless Immortal Domain, a formidable entity once devised a secret technique derived from the cultivation methods of the Demon Race.
When combined with certain common natural treasures, it can counteract the detrimental effects of the Demonic Spiritual Qi."
She continued, "The difficulty lies in mastering this secret art. While your talents are notable, Jiang Chen, it is still uncertain if you can grasp its intricacies before the condition of the two ladies worsens irreversibly."
Nangong Wan sighed deeply, "We must do what we can and then trust in fate."
"Is this secret art truly so complex?" Fang Yuan asked, his eyes gleaming with determination before making a proposal, "Perhaps I should attempt to learn it too. If Jiang Chen cannot master it and I do, I’ll take over."
Jiang Chen quickly agreed, "That sounds like a sensible idea. It would increase our chances of restoring Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing to health as soon as possible."
Fang Yuan felt a twinge of annoyance. He had planned to secure verbal approval from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to salvage his pride. Yet, Jiang Chen had preemptively agreed, undermining his moment.
Despite the minor significance of this event, it was enough to unsettle Fang Yuan.
"In that case," Shangguan Ning announced, "the two of you can study the cultivation method simultaneously." Following her words, she and Nangong Wan began to harness their residual soul power to form ethereal characters in the air, using the tiny dust particles as their canvas.
These characters represented the incantations of the secret art, known as the Demonic Qi Extraction Art!
Upon seeing this, Fang Yuan resolved to decipher it.
Noticing Fang Yuan’s determination, a trace of amusement crossed Jiang Chen’s face as he too began to delve into the intricacies of the secret art.
If Jiang Chen did not possess his Heavenly Fate Changer, the Wordless Heavenly Jade, under the dictates of Heavenly Fate, he might have been unable to surpass Fang Yuan. But that scenario was no longer a concern.
Despite having used up the qi and blood energy he had garnered from the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, which hindered his immediate mastery of the secret art, Jiang Chen’s enlightenment talent, enhanced by the Wordless Heavenly Jade, was still formidable enough to outshine Fang Yuan.
As time passed slowly, Fang Yuan’s study of the secret art proceeded smoothly and confidently. In contrast, Jiang Chen’s expression was serious, occasionally marked by brief expressions of confusion and furrowed brows.
Noticing this, Fang Yuan seized the opportunity to taunt him, "Jiang Chen, have you encountered a stumbling block so soon?" Sensing a rare chance to outdo Jiang Chen, he was eager to capitalize on it.
"Indeed, I seem to have run into a difficulty," Jiang Chen acknowledged, maintaining a serious demeanor.
’Your enlightenment talent really isn’t up to par, is it?’ Fang Yuan thought smugly to himself while outwardly showing concern. He then suggested, "Maybe it would be wise to give up."
Nestled inside the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were taken aback. They both knew of Jiang Chen’s exceptional capabilities, but his apparent struggle was unexpected and out of character.
Nevertheless, they chose to reserve judgment on Jiang Chen’s performance for the moment.
At this juncture, Jiang Chen decisively shook his head, "No, surrender is not an option!" He then humbly asked, "May I request the esteemed seniors to clarify the thirteenth line of the secret art?"
Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning couldn’t help but exchange knowing smiles, silently affirming their initial impression of Jiang Chen’s aptitude.
Jiang Chen’s question might have seemed naive to an outsider, but in reality, the secret art consisted of only ninety-three lines. The fact that he had already progressed to understanding the thirteenth line in such a short span was indeed remarkable, showcasing his profound capacity for rapid comprehension and mastery.
Fang Yuan stood dumbfounded, his expression shifting rapidly between shades of red and pale, painting a picture of extreme astonishment.
’The thirteenth line!? How is that even possible! How could he have progressed so quickly! He must be lying; he must be deliberately mentioning the thirteenth line to mislead us!’ After the initial shock, a flurry of thoughts swirled through Fang Yuan’s mind.
He struggled to accept this reality, convinced that Jiang Chen was fabricating his progress.
Considering his own status as the once-celebrated prodigy of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, and having only just deciphered the third line of the secret art, the idea that Jiang Chen could have advanced to the thirteenth line was utterly preposterous to him!
At this moment, Shangguan Ning articulated the doubt lurking in Fang Yuan’s mind, "Jiang Chen, have you truly assimilated the first twelve lines of the mantra?"
"Indeed," Jiang Chen confirmed with a nod. "The first twelve lines of the mantra—here is my interpretation and implementation..." He then proceeded to explain his understanding, with each word he uttered about the secret art resonating with undeniable clarity and depth.
"Remarkable! Truly remarkable!" Shangguan Ning couldn’t hold back her admiration. "Your enlightenment talent is undoubtedly among the top five of all the prodigies I’ve encountered!"
Taking over the discussion, Nangong Wan stepped forward, her voice gentle yet filled with authority, "Let me explain the thirteenth line of the mantra to you." She then began to elucidate, further enhancing Jiang Chen’s already impressive grasp of the secret art.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuan was left grappling with disbelief and frustration. His expression was a frozen mask of shock, betraying the turmoil within.
’This is impossible! How could he have mastered the first twelve lines already? I’m still struggling with the fourth! There must be some deception at play here!’ Fang Yuan’s thoughts raced in a tumult of denial and dismay, unwilling to accept the reality that Jiang Chen was outpacing him so significantly.
While Fang Yuan was ensnared in his spiral of negative emotions, Jiang Chen experienced a contrasting surge of satisfaction.
[Ding! You’ve successfully undermined the protagonist, Fang Yuan, in public and dampened his spirit. Fang Yuan’s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!]
[Ding! You’ve gained 600 points of villain Value!]
These system notifications, echoing in his sea of consciousness, were like a sweet melody to Jiang Chen.