Chapter 56

Chapter 56: The Noble Predecessor

As long as he saved that junior of the Long Family, regardless of his status, he would have a reason to contact them.

After making up his mind, Chen Ansheng considered how to proceed.

Should he engage in a fair battle with them?

No, that would be the foolish approach of a reckless youth.

If he could ambush them, why fight openly?

“For safety’s sake, let’s use one killing talisman and one binding talisman!”

With Chen Ansheng’s own strength combined with a killing talisman, he could easily subdue the two. As for using the binding talisman, he didn’t want this woman to send a message out, nor did he want the commotion to attract the attention of other powerful cultivators.

Once he had thought it through, Chen Ansheng conjured a virtual sword infused with celestial energy and prepared to strike.

In the binding formation, the man, trying to please the woman, began to exert himself once more.

He made his move!

“Boom!”

With a single stroke, celestial energy surged.

The binding formation set by the woman instantly shattered.

“Don’t move, pull it out for me!”

Chen Ansheng bellowed, deploying the Storm Sword Technique.

The man was instantly shocked and dazed, wanting to escape.

Swish!

Countless shadows of celestial swords struck him, and before he could react, he was torn apart.

As for the woman, she was at the Celestial Fourth Realm, and as a cultivator from the lower world who had grown to such a level, she surely had precious treasures on her.

As expected, the moment Chen Ansheng revealed his celestial energy, she summoned a defensive celestial artifact.

“Die!”

At the same time, the woman raised a pitch-black staff, and her figure flashed as she charged towards Chen Ansheng.

“Pfft!”

However, before her figure could reach Chen Ansheng, she was already frozen in place, blood spurting from her mouth.

Fear filled her eyes as she looked down at the intense pain in her chest, where there was a gaping hole the size of a fist.

It was the fist shadow created by the killing talisman that had pierced through her body!

Seeing the woman severely injured, Chen Ansheng sidestepped and quickly pressed down on her neck, forcing her heavily onto the ground.

Then, celestial energy surged out, securely locking her down and sealing her completely.

“Please spare me, great immortal…”

The woman was both in pain and terrified.

This person before her was decisive and ruthless in action, his celestial energy seemingly above her. She had no chance of struggling and could only hope for a slim chance of survival.

“Is the Long Shaoyan you captured a disciple of the ancient Long Family?”

Chen Ansheng had heard the woman mention this name before, hence he asked.

“May I ask, great immortal, do you have ties to the Long Family?”

The woman’s face was ashen, her eyes filled with despair.

She deeply regretted having provoked someone from the Long Family.

“Stop with the nonsense, answer honestly, or when I search your soul, you’ll suffer a hundred or a thousand times more than now!”

Chen Ansheng commanded in a low voice.

In truth, he had no soul-searching techniques. Not even someone as strong as Zhong Li, a devil sect cultivator, could master such a forbidden skill.

He was merely trying to intimidate the woman.

“Great immortal, Long Shaoyan is indeed a member of the Long Family. I acted out of greed and made a grave mistake. I hope the great immortal can forgive me this once.”

The woman replied without a hint of hesitation.

For a simple reason: if she didn’t speak, he could search her soul; if she did, perhaps he would just take her back and punish her without killing her. As long as she could live a little longer, she still had a chance.

“What did you capture him for?” Chen Ansheng inquired again.

“I cultivate the Blood Devouring Heavenly Art, which requires his blood as assistance. Therefore, I dared to capture him,” the woman trembled as she answered.

“Where did you imprison him?”

“In the hidden chambers beneath the tower.”

“Very well answered.”

“Great immortal, would you spare me…”

Before she could finish her begging, Chen Ansheng exerted his strength, lifting her by the neck.

Powerful mental energy invaded the woman’s celestial soul.

Puppet seal, activate!

Why didn’t Chen Ansheng use the puppet technique earlier?

It was simple: once the woman became a puppet, she would lose her self-awareness, and her memories would disappear.

Thus, he turned her into a puppet only after learning the location of Long Shaoyan.

As for a master-servant contract?

That was impossible. Despite her fear, how could she willingly become a servant?

“Ah!”

The powerful will invaded the woman’s celestial soul, causing her immense suffering.

After three breaths of time, she calmed down, becoming a vacant shell.

“With my current mental power, I can control at most two puppets. Any more than that would cause chaos.”

Controlling Li Xiuyuan earlier was quite easy for Chen Ansheng.

Now with an additional puppet, the pressure increased dramatically.

“She’s about to die; I’ll make do with this one use.”

Healing a puppet required a massive amount of mental and celestial energy, not to mention plenty of medicinal materials.

Chen Ansheng deemed it not worth it, so he planned to let her perish after finding Long Shaoyan.

Then, in order to avoid potential powerful killing formations within the tower, Chen Ansheng controlled the puppet to go inside.

Upon entering the tower.

Chen Ansheng’s gaze and consciousness followed the puppet’s actions.

As expected!

The moment the puppet entered the underground passage, countless shadows of black blades came slicing down.

At that moment, Chen Ansheng released his hold on the puppet, allowing her to counterattack.

After a moment, the puppet suffered several cuts, her flesh torn, yet she still retained some mobility.

After navigating through a few traps, the puppet staggered into an underground chamber.

A handsome youth was bound to a metal pillar inscribed with intricate patterns.

Only then did Chen Ansheng flash into the tower.

Reaching the youth’s side, Chen Ansheng used celestial energy to dissolve a low-grade healing pill and then fed it to the unconscious boy.

A few breaths later, Long Shaoyan opened his eyes.

Seeing the woman covered in gruesome wounds, he immediately struggled and shouted.

“Do not fear, young man, the person who harmed you has been subdued by me.”

With a flick of his finger, Chen Ansheng broke the secret binding ropes.

Long Shaoyan calmed somewhat and immediately knelt on the ground, “Thank you, senior, for rescuing me.”

Chen Ansheng casually waved his hand, lifting Long Shaoyan, “It was merely a slight effort.”

Long Shaoyan then realized his injuries had significantly improved, so he said, “Senior, your healing must have cost a significant amount of precious elixirs, right?”

Chen Ansheng feigned benevolence, “Just a single celestial-grade elixir. No matter how priceless, it cannot compare to a life.”

So it was a celestial-grade elixir!

No wonder several of his meridians, which had been severed, were almost healed.

Celestial-grade elixirs are incredibly valuable; this senior actually used one to save his life.

Thinking of this, Long Shaoyan’s eyes became moist.

“Senior’s great kindness, I will surely repay it handsomely.”

Long Shaoyan bowed deeply again.

Chen Ansheng pondered for a moment and then said, “There’s a saying about giving without expecting anything in return… but seeing you are a person of deep feelings, if I do not allow you to repay this kindness, it may become a burden on your heart, hindering your path to ascension in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Long Shaoyan quickly said, “What you say is very true, please allow me to accompany you back to my family, so I may repay your kindness.”

Chen Ansheng hesitated slightly and said, “I originally had an important matter to attend to, but I worry you might encounter dangers if I let you return alone. Very well, I shall forgo the ripening celestial fruit and escort you.”

Long Shaoyan immediately felt troubled; not only did he owe him a life, but he was also delaying his important business. When he returned, he would have to ensure his family compensated this noble predecessor suitably.