Jiang Chen stood atop a small hill overlooking the vast plains leading away from the forest, the last vestiges of the Verdant Moon Glade behind him. The three-day journey to the Heaven Sundering Sect awaited, but he lingered, his gaze drifting to the woman beside him.
Princess Yan stood tall, her blue and gold royal robes billowing in the wind. The fury she had shown toward the Whitefang Family was gone, replaced with a quiet nobility befitting a ruler. She turned her gaze toward Jiang Chen, her deep, sapphire eyes filled with something unreadable.
"You've done more for me than you know," she said softly.
Jiang Chen chuckled, crossing his arms. "I just beat up some arrogant fools. That doesn't sound like much."
She shook her head, her expression firm. "You didn't just fight. You humiliated the Whitefang Family and crushed the pride of the Purple Star Sect. You saved me from being forced into something worse than death. Do you think my father, my kingdom, will forget this?"
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, but before he could reply, Princess Yan touched her ear. A flicker of transmission jade light flashed in her hand.
"They're here."
Jiang Chen turned his head toward the horizon.
A wave of aura surged through the air like a storm.
At first, it was just a distortion on the distant plains. Then, with a thunderous boom, five figures shot across the sky, moving at speeds no ordinary cultivator could match. The pressure they exuded was suffocating.
The Azure Dragon Kingdom's forces had arrived.
Jiang Chen watched as the figures descended in an orderly formation, their movement refined and calculated. These were no ordinary soldiers. They landed lightly, yet their presence alone carried the weight of authority.
At their head stood an elderly man in flowing azure robes, his long beard neatly tied with a golden clasp. His piercing gaze scanned the surroundings like a hawk. His Core Formation aura rippled through the air, but Jiang Chen could tell—this was no ordinary Core Formation cultivator.
He was a peak expert.
To his right stood a younger man, clad in dragon-embroidered black and gold robes, his features sharp, his posture rigid. The way he looked at Princess Yan screamed familial connection—perhaps an older brother?
Behind them, three heavily armored warriors stood silent, each exuding strength at the late Foundation Establishment realm. These were elite royal guards, not just common cultivators.
The elder stepped forward first. His voice was steady, but firm. "Princess Yan. Are you harmed? I'll make those bastards from the Purple Moon Sect pay if they hurt a hair on your head!"
Princess Yan gave a light bow. "I am well, Elder Huang. Thanks to him." She turned slightly, gesturing toward Jiang Chen.
Elder Huang's gaze landed on Jiang Chen—and froze.
His sharp eyes widened, then narrowed as he examined the young man before him. The warriors behind him also stiffened, sensing something… off.
The royal prince beside the elder crossed his arms, his voice calm yet laced with curiosity. "Who are you?" he asked Jiang Chen directly.
Jiang Chen smirked, not intimidated in the slightest. "Just a passerby."
"...A passerby?" The prince's brows furrowed slightly.
Elder Huang's expression was unreadable. He wasn't looking at Jiang Chen's cultivation, but at something deeper.
"I cannot see through him," the elder murmured.
The prince turned sharply. "What?"
Elder Huang stroked his beard, his gaze never leaving Jiang Chen. "His aura is… unnatural. Not just powerful. It bends and distorts the natural laws around him. I have seen prodigies, geniuses, monsters—but none quite like this."
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "That's a fancy way of saying you're confused."
Elder Huang chuckled. "It is. But confusion breeds caution. And you, young man, are someone I would be very cautious around."
Jiang Chen's smirk widened.
The prince's gaze hardened, but his respect grew. He cupped his fists slightly. "Regardless, my sister is unharmed thanks to you. You have done the Azure Dragon Kingdom a great service. For that, we owe you."
Jiang Chen waved his hand lazily. "No need for all that. Just tell me how to get to the Heaven Sundering Sect without getting bored."
Princess Yan sighed, shaking her head. "Only you would treat this so casually…"
Elder Huang, however, suddenly froze. His expression darkened.
"You're heading to the Heaven Sundering Sect?"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Got a problem with that?"
The prince and the guards visibly tensed. Even Princess Yan glanced at him in surprise.
Elder Huang let out a slow breath. "It is not a problem. But… a warning."
He looked at Jiang Chen with something close to pity.
"The Heaven Sundering Sect is unlike any other power in this province. They are not like us, nor like the Purple Star Sect. They do not abide by the rules of kingdoms, of noble families, or even of common sense."
He took a step closer.
"They are madmen in the purest sense."
Jiang Chen's smirk widened. "Sounds like my kind of place."
Elder Huang sighed. "I should have expected that response." He turned to the princess. "Your Highness, are you truly safe with him?"
Princess Yan laughed softly. "Safer than I would have been with any of you."
Elder Huang's expression twitched slightly. The prince muttered under his breath, "This man is dangerous…"
Jiang Chen rolled his shoulders. "Alright, enough standing around. If you guys are picking up the princess, I'm heading out."
Princess Yan's smile faltered slightly. "So soon?"
Jiang Chen gave her a knowing look. "We both have places to be."
She nodded, her expression softening. "Jiang Chen… I will remember this. If you ever find yourself in the Azure Dragon Kingdom… come find me."
Jiang Chen's smirk turned slightly playful. "Oh? Sounds like an invitation."
Princess Yan rolled her eyes. "Don't get ahead of yourself."
The prince glared. Elder Huang simply sighed.
Jiang Chen turned on his heel and started walking. He raised a hand in lazy farewell.
"Try not to get kidnapped again, Princess."
Princess Yan's face burned red. "I did NOT get kidnapped!"
Jiang Chen's laughter echoed across the plains as he disappeared into the distance.
Elder Huang watched him go, his expression dark. The prince crossed his arms. "Should we keep an eye on him?"
Elder Huang shook his head. "No need."
His voice was quiet, yet filled with certainty.
"He is already someone who will shake the foundations of this province. We won't need to keep an eye on him."
He turned toward Princess Yan.
"Everyone else will."
Jiang Chen walked with light, confident steps, his spear resting on his back. His golden-amber eyes shone with excitement.
The Heaven Sundering Sect.
A place feared, hated, and whispered about in dread.
A sect that accepted only the insane, the battle-hungry, and the uncontrollable. A place where strength ruled, and weakness meant death.
Jiang Chen grinned.
"That sounds perfect."