On his way back to the outer sect, Chen An encountered Yun Henqiu in a deserted corner.
Chen An had anticipated this encounter long before it happened. Thus, when Yun Henqiu appeared, Chen An's expression remained calm and devoid of surprise.
"Greetings, Elder Yun." He cupped his hands in a respectful salute, his demeanor natural and serene. Not a trace of their earlier confrontation lingered on his face. He even seemed to maintain a respectful attitude toward the elder.
This display only deepened Yun Henqiu's resentment. Refusing to accept the gesture, he sidestepped the bow with a flash of his figure.
"I dare not accept your courtesy, Chen An. Your respect is far too heavy for me to bear," Yun Henqiu sneered, alluding to the humiliation he suffered earlier—the failed scheme to frame Chen An and the significant compensation he was forced to pay.
"Chen An, I admit you have some tricks up your sleeve, but don't think this matter between us is over. Our enmity has just begun. Your life is mine to claim sooner or later!"
Yun Henqiu's voice carried years of unchecked authority. Never had he endured such disgrace, and he could not tolerate being cornered by a mere outer sect disciple. The thought of revenge consumed him.
Chen An, however, seemed unfazed by the threat. In the world of cultivators, conflict and survival were inseparable. He had long accepted that making enemies was inevitable.
To him, what mattered wasn't fleeting victories but lasting survival. The true winner would be the one left standing in the end.
"You're not the first to threaten my life," Chen An replied with a faint smile. "Wei Ming, Lu Yi, Han Juan, and let's not forget your lackey, Geng Shuang—they all wanted me dead. And yet, where are they now? Dead, every last one of them. All at my hands."
Chen An's lips curled into a sinister smile as he stared directly at Yun Henqiu, his tone icy and deliberate. "Elder Yun, do you think you'll be any different?"
"So, you admit to killing them?"
"Of course. But what does it matter if you know now?"
Chen An's confidence bordered on arrogance, his gaze sharp and provocative.
"Young man, you're far too reckless!" Yun Henqiu's voice grew colder. "Don't you realize that with my cultivation, I could snuff out your life in an instant? I wouldn't even need a reason."
"Kill me?" Chen An chuckled. "Yun Henqiu, do you think me a fool? After what happened today, you're probably the one most desperate to keep me alive."
"Think about it. If I die shortly after our public clash, who would be the prime suspect?"
"And while you're at it, consider this—who in the Lingfu Sect, besides me, would most want to see you fall? Who has the power to make it happen and is merely waiting for an opportunity, a pretext?"
Chen An's words were a blatant hint.
In the Lingfu Sect, only Sect Master Meng Wentian had the authority and capability to challenge Yun Henqiu's status. Yun Henqiu's position as the sect's chief elder naturally posed a threat to Meng Wentian's authority. If Chen An were to die, it would hand Meng Wentian the perfect excuse to take action against Yun Henqiu without causing dissent among the sect members.
Realizing this, Yun Henqiu's heart sank as he recalled Meng Wentian's subtle support for Chen An during the earlier confrontation. A cold sweat broke out as he imagined himself trapped in a web carefully woven by the sect master.
This revelation only made Yun Henqiu more hesitant to act against Chen An, fearing it might provide Meng Wentian with the leverage he needed.
What Yun Henqiu didn't know was that Chen An was merely bluffing. He had no idea of Meng Wentian's intentions but used the sect master's name to deter Yun Henqiu. Since Yun Henqiu couldn't directly confront Meng Wentian, Chen An could fabricate whatever he pleased.
"Take care of yourself, Elder Yun. I'll be waiting for your revenge anytime," Chen An said nonchalantly before striding away, leaving Yun Henqiu fuming.
For now, Chen An was confident Yun Henqiu wouldn't dare make any bold moves, at least not in the short term.
Back at his residence, Chen An eagerly retrieved the compensation items Yun Henqiu had given him.
The spirit stones and defensive treasures were unremarkable, but the pair of black-gold daggers caught his attention.
The daggers, crafted from black-gold and classified as spirit weapons, were less than a foot long and two fingers wide. They were razor-sharp and entirely matte, showing no reflection even under sunlight. Their deep, muted color made them perfect for stealth.
For Chen An, they were ideal weapons for surprise attacks. He imagined wielding them in the dark, silently taking lives without being detected. The thought thrilled him.
This pair of daggers was undoubtedly the most fitting weapon he had come across, complementing his combat style and personality perfectly.
After carefully concealing the daggers at his waist and in his boots, ensuring they remained undetectable, Chen An sat cross-legged to resume his cultivation of the Buddha's Blooming Finger.
However, just as he was about to enter meditation, he sensed someone approaching his residence.
His eyes flickered with calculation. Though the visitor hadn't entered yet, Chen An already guessed their identity. Springing to his feet, he adjusted his slightly disheveled robes and cupped his hands respectfully.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
As expected, the visitor was none other than Meng Wentian.
"You knew I'd come?" Meng Wentian asked, his gaze scrutinizing Chen An.
"I guessed that the sect master had something to say, which is why you graced my humble abode. Please, ask whatever you wish. I, Chen An, will answer truthfully," Chen An replied, maintaining a polite demeanor.
Toward Meng Wentian, Chen An trod carefully. He knew offending the sect master was the last thing he could afford, especially when he still needed Meng Wentian's support to procure the materials for refining the Bone-Washing Pill.
In the cultivation world, one must never go against their path to advancement.
Meng Wentian, as it turned out, did have something to discuss with Chen An. Surprisingly, it wasn't about Yun Henqiu but rather the matter of Chen An's recent expedition to hunt second-tier spirit beasts.