Chapter 258

### Chapter 258: Chaos Begins

Regardless of their sentiments, everyone dispersed from the Martial Arts Pavilion after the competition.

In Peace City, at a restaurant.

“Junior Brother Chen, I propose a toast to you! I never expected your strength to be so shocking. We are truly impressed!” Fang Chixu and others toasted to Chen Ansheng one after another.

“Senior Brother Fang, if it weren’t for Junior Brother Chen this time, you would have been in serious trouble. You ought to show your gratitude with some tangible action,” Ying Lan said with a smile.

Fang Chixu nodded and sighed, “Indeed. Even if I hadn’t fallen victim to that Black Robe’s schemes, with my attitude of underestimating the Sword Immortal, I would likely still face a disastrous outcome in the next match. In short, I was just a frog at the bottom of a well and will definitely learn more from Junior Brother Chen in the future. To express my gratitude, I have a small gift for you, Junior Brother Chen. I hope you accept it.”

After saying this, Fang Chixu took out a yellow stone the size of an egg from his storage bag and presented it to Chen Ansheng.

“Senior Brother Fang, what is this?”

Chen Ansheng felt that the stone was unremarkable.

“This is a treasure I found when I was young in an abandoned demon cave. Later, I discovered it is called Chaos Stone. My Chaos True Qi has developed thanks to comprehending the mysteries contained within this stone, but it is of little use to me now, so I am giving it to you, Junior Brother.”

The Chaos Stone!

That is indeed a precious treasure!

“How can I accept this? Senior Brother Fang, you are too kind.”

As Chen Ansheng spoke, Fang Chixu and the others thought he would decline, but to their surprise, he quickly accepted the stone.

Seeing this, Fang Chixu laughed heartily.

Although the stone was valuable, he had already comprehended all the mysteries within it, and in decades, he hadn’t made any progress; keeping it would be useless. It was perfectly acceptable to give it as a token of gratitude for saving his life.

“I have reported this victory to His Majesty the Immortal King, who stated that there will be a generous reward for you,” Gu Miaoyan said while sipping her drink. “Of course, there will also be a reward from me.”

As she spoke, Gu Miaoyan cast Chen Ansheng a knowing glance.

Chen Ansheng understood perfectly.

However, he couldn’t figure out how he had become so desirable to beauties now.

Back when he was working in the mines, he never thought of himself as particularly handsome.

It was indeed strange.

When meat is served on a plate, should one eat it or not?

The taste of an exceptional celestial beauty, almost equal to that of an Immortal King… that need not be said.

“Hahaha, how coincidental! Miss Miaoyan, you’re also here drinking.”

While they were drinking, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone turned to see Li Tai’a, dressed in green and carrying a shimmering celestial sword, approaching.

“Shameless, persistent ghost!” Gu Miaoyan coldly retorted, not giving him a glance.

“Hey!” Li Tai’a raised his hand and said, “What do you mean by that, Miss Gu? I did not come specifically to find you. I came here to drink with Junior Brother Chen and discuss swordsmanship. Please do not misunderstand; I, Li, am not that kind of shameless lickspittle!”

Gu Miaoyan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Li Tai’a. “No matter what kind of dog you are, don’t think of making a play for a person from Chaos Island. You cannot woo or take him away.”

Gu Miaoyan made her point very clear.

Even if you are not here for me, you shouldn’t think of laying a finger on this talent, Chen Ansheng!

But Chen Ansheng didn’t think that way.

After all, Li Tai’a was a genuine Immortal King and a Sword Immortal!

Establishing a connection with him could certainly be beneficial!

“Great General, a guest is a guest; I think we should invite Immortal King Li to join us for a drink. I wonder if Immortal King Li would honor us with his presence?”

Chen Ansheng spoke very politely.

“Exactly what I was thinking! Bring out the best wine!” Li Tai’a said, sitting down beside Gu Miaoyan without hesitation.

He then summoned celestial power, poured wine, and raised his glass.

“You young lads have good talent; you must work hard in the future. If you have any questions regarding swordsmanship, feel free to come to me; I will gladly instruct you.”

Everyone understood the implication of his remarks.

The person Li Tai’a was referring to could only be Chen Ansheng.

Chen Ansheng naturally raised his glass happily, feeling a swell of pride.

At that moment, he inexplicably surged with bravado.

He had once been nothing more than a lowly miner, and now he was qualified to drink alongside an Immortal King—what an honor!

If he were to reflect on the past, he would never have dreamed that he could achieve this. Previously, he would be satisfied merely fantasizing about having a lower-grade cave residence and having a woman alive to be his wife.

“After eating enough, let’s go.”

Just after finishing a drink, Gu Miaoyan stood up and urged a few people to leave.

“Wait.”

Li Tai’a directly reached out and grabbed Gu Miaoyan’s small arm.

Gu Miaoyan felt a chill and said, “Let go of your dog paws.”

Li Tai’a grinned, completely unbothered by the airs of an Immortal King, and said, “What did I do to offend you, Miss? Just tell me, and I will keep my distance from you. However, in the next few days, it may be impossible for you to leave Peace City.”

“Why?”

Gu Miaoyan asked without any emotional fluctuation.

“Someone has committed murder in Peace City and killed eight people in one go. The Snow-Haired Elder has issued a decree; no one is to leave until the culprit is captured.”

Li Tai’a explained.

This statement surprised everyone.

Gu Miaoyan frowned and sat down. “Are you sure you are not lying to me?”

Li Tai’a replied, “Why would I lie to you? With your character, even if I forced you to stay here, you could only smell the aroma and not taste the meat.”

Gu Miaoyan shot him a glare, internally agreeing that this news must be true.

The prohibition on leaving Peace City could not be broken even by an Immortal King, as powerful restrictions remained in place there. Only those of nine or ten grades could force their way through.

Chen Ansheng was unaware of this detail and asked, “Immortal King, do you know the background of the Snow-Haired Elder? How does he have such great authority?”

Li Tai’a planned to engage with Chen Ansheng further and responded, “It is said that the old guy is a Peak Immortal King who possesses an Immortal King’s military talisman, capable of assimilating eight thousand soldiers for his use. Quite formidable indeed.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ansheng’s heart tightened.

The so-called Peak Immortal King is indeed an existence that transcends the limit of nine grades.

Moreover, wielding an Immortal King’s military talisman is truly extraordinary!

Chen Ansheng himself possessed a royal military talisman; his master had told him that in the Immortal Realm, only those with military talismans could truly hold a place of power.

Such strong figures could easily dominate a region.

Unexpectedly, the Snow-Haired Elder was a legendary overlord-level Immortal King!

With that, Chen Ansheng understood that if the Snow-Haired Elder wished to conquer the Abyssal Dragon Sea, it would likely be a matter of merely raising a hand or thinking a thought. Other rogue Immortal Kings would hardly stand a chance.

“I don’t know who has the audacity to act wild in Peace City, causing us to be temporarily unable to leave.”

Gu Miaoyan grumbled in dissatisfaction.

Li Tai’a replied, “It is said to be a young female Demon Cultivator, not very powerful, likely not even at the Celestial Immortal Realm. She is expected to be captured within a day or two.”