On the Avenue.

Chapter 716 Senior Brother

Fan Xiao emerged from the Beidi Provincial Government Office in Beihai, his brows slightly furrowed.

He still couldn't find Chen Shi's whereabouts these days.

He used his divine calculations to deduce Chen Shi's whereabouts, but Chen Shi's skill in these calculations far surpassed his, and the directions he calculated were all wrong. When he went to search for him, he often came up empty-handed.

Fortunately, he was a disciple of the Celestial Emperor, and in the North Sea, a place far from the Jade Emperor, he wielded immense power, practically making him half a local Jade Emperor.

The North Sea falls under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, who has four divine emperors under his command: Tianpeng, Tianyou, Yisheng, and Zhenwu. The North Sea is guarded by the Great Emperor Tianpeng, who commands 360,000 divine beings and countless heavenly soldiers and generals, ruling over the North Sea and the Northern Continent, among other places.

However, in recent years, the Arctic Exorcism Institute's ability to govern the lower levels has become weaker and weaker, which has led to the Celestial Court's growing power in the North Sea area. Even many of the immortals in the Arctic Exorcism Institute are people of the Celestial Court.

Fan Xiao mobilized the Celestial Court's forces here to search for Chen Shi's whereabouts.

In his view, Chen Shi's trip to the North Sea to mine must be to purchase the best immortal ore for refining treasures. He only needed to inquire about those immortal ore merchants to find out any clues about Chen Shi.

However, Chen Shi's mining was genuine mining, not the purchase of rare treasures.

The Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Army, a figure known as the Heavenly King, the dignified Crown Prince of Houde Palace, and a favorite of the Eastern King Duke, was actually working like a miner, day after day, without ever using any power or ability that surpassed that of an ordinary immortal.

If this were told to others, not only would Fan Xiao not believe it, but no one else would believe it either.

"Strange, even the Arctic Exorcism Institute can't find Chen Shi's whereabouts. Could it be that the couple lied to me? Could it be that Chen Shi is currently in Penglai West, indulging in debauchery with his beautiful wife and concubines? If these two mention that I'm still looking for him in the North Sea, they'll probably laugh at my foolishness!"

Fan Xiao was furious at the thought and wanted to return to Jin'ao Island immediately to question Fairy Xiao Duan about whether she was lying.

"Lord Fan, wait a moment!"

Fan Xiao stopped and looked back. He saw a minor official from the government office of the Arctic Exorcism Institute run out and say to him, "Lord Fan, we haven't found Chen Shi, who trades in jade and immortal mines. But the records from the mine say that a mining immortal named Zhong Wuwang recently redeemed himself and left the Blackwater River mining area. This Zhong Wuwang looks similar to the Chen Shi you are looking for."

Fan Xiao paused slightly, then asked, "Where is the Blackwater River mining area?"

"Yanzhou Daowang County. On the outskirts of Daowang County, there are thousands of miles of mountains, from which many black rivers flow. That is the Blackwater River mining area."

The official said, "The Blackwater River mining area is under the jurisdiction of Dao Wang Zhenren. The mining area is divided into different regions, each with a Golden Immortal in charge. Lord Fan must be cautious when you get there, as the Heavenly Court there is quite powerful."

Fan Xiao thanked him and left on his own.

Not long after, he arrived in Daowang County, where a celestial official was already waiting with the mine manager of the fourth mining area. Upon his arrival, the official quickly presented Fan Xiao with Zhong Wuwang's work records, which had been compiled by the mine manager.

Fan Xiao flipped through the document and exclaimed in surprise, "This person is indeed Chen Shi. But why did he sell himself to the Blackwater River mining area, work there for eight months, earn some money, and then redeem himself?"

He was completely baffled. After reading it carefully for a long time, he finally called over the mine foreman and said, "It says here that he sold a woman into the mine. Could it be that he had a romantic relationship with this woman?"

The mine foreman said, "I don't know either. But when Zhong Wuwang left, he asked about the woman's whereabouts. He couldn't find her, so he was a little disappointed. Someone even saw him wiping away tears outside the mine."

Fan Xiao laughed and said, "Could it be that he has fallen for this woman?"

"I don't know."

Where is this woman?

"They're probably dead. No one cleans up the bodies in the mining area; they're just thrown into the Blackwater River, where the Zerg will eat them all."

Fan Xiao pondered.

He thought of Chen Shi's methods; all four of his junior brothers and sisters had died at Chen Shi's hands. This man was young, and after ascending to immortality, he became the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Realm in just over thirty years. He would never shed tears for personal feelings.

“Take me to the mining area,” Fan Xiao said.

Upon hearing this, the mine foreman hurriedly said, "Sir, please allow those lowly fellows to leave the mining area first, so they won't offend you."

Fan Xiao shook his head and said, "I want to see his true experiences, why such a terrifying person would lose control and cry. If you just send someone out, what am I supposed to see?"

The mine foreman dared not refute, and said with a smile, "If you want to see his past, sir, you'll need to change his clothes. I'll prepare a set of miner's clothes for you."

Fan Xiao nodded.

After the mine foreman brought the clothes, Fan Xiao examined them carefully and couldn't help but frown: "He wore these kinds of coarse linen clothes when he went down to the mining area?"

The mine foreman said with a forced smile, "This is what everyone who goes down the mine wears. If it gets damaged, you can just buy a new set. It's not expensive, and we're not picky about it."

Despite his discomfort, Fan Xiao changed his clothes and followed him to the fourth mining area.

Fan Xiao followed these mining immortals deep into the mine, observing how they mined, but he couldn't discern anything special. After two days, he emerged from the mine, changed into his own clothes, summoned the mine foreman, and asked, "Has Chen Shi unearthed any precious ore?"

"Never. What we've dug up are all mid-range jade stones, not very expensive."

Fan Xiao wondered, "Could it be that Chen Shi has unearthed a precious mine and hidden it away?"

The mine foreman chuckled and asked, "Sir, who is this man that you personally came to investigate?"

He didn't know Fan Xiao's identity, but seeing the respectful way the local officials treated Fan Xiao, he naturally assumed that someone important had come. It was indeed rare for an important person to come and investigate a miner.

Fan Xiaoyou said leisurely, "His background is extraordinary. He is a key minister of the Jade Emperor, the crown prince of the Earth Goddess, the Grand Marshal of the Army and the famous leader of the Immortal Execution List. The dignified King Chen has been mining here for eight months. If you are still alive, it is because your ancestors burned incense for you in the underworld."

The mine foreman was dumbfounded. When he came to his senses and was about to ask a question, he saw that Fan Xiao had already walked away.

The mine foreman shuddered several times, then suddenly realized what was happening and immediately ordered his men to find Guan Qinshuang to see if the girl was really dead.

After all, he was someone that King Chen had cared about. If he hadn't died, it might have been thanks to him.

However, he searched for a long time but could not find Guan Qinshuang.

Guan Qinshuang is really dead.

For several months, the mine owner was uneasy, fearing that Chen Shi would come to settle scores with him, but he never did.

Fan Xiao left Daowang County and mobilized the Celestial Court's forces, not to search for Chen Shi, but to search for traces of Zhong Wuwang. Not long after, news came that there were traces of Zhong Wuwang's presence in Dayong, Dachuan, and other places.

"The route Chen Tianwang took was to Beiju Luzhou! We've finally found you!"

Fan Xiao was greatly encouraged and immediately set off along this road towards Beiju Luzhou.

Beiju Luzhou is inhabited by barbarian tribes, all of whom are simple and honest. Fan Xiao encountered more than ten groups of robbers along the way. At first, they were robbed by Foundation Establishment cultivators, then by Nascent Soul cultivators, and then by Tribulation Transcending cultivators.

He then encountered immortals, then true immortals and golden immortals, all of whom came to rob him. Finally, even the Taiyi Golden Immortal came out to rob him.

With a gloomy face, Fan Xiao mobilized the Celestial Court's forces in Beiju Luzhou to search for Chen Shi's whereabouts.

After more than two months, he finally found Chen Shi.

When Fan Xiao found Chen Shi, Chen Shi's hairstyle had changed. He was no longer wearing a golden crown, but had cut his hair, probably shaved it. His new hair was tied up, jet black and shiny, and only about two inches long.

He wasn't wearing luxurious clothes, but rather coarse cloth and animal hides, probably hand-sewn, and quite rough. His clothes were adorned with talismans and Taoist patterns woven from silk threads and hemp ropes.

He had three or four scars on his face, probably left by claws or scales.

His skin was also tanned. He was with a hunting team, many of whom were injured or disabled. They were chasing a strange beast called Tianqi.

When that celestial steed ran, its feet trod on clouds, and a single hoof could knock a true immortal unconscious. The horn on its head carried an aura of heresy, making it adept at breaking immortal spells. Moreover, it was extremely intelligent and repeatedly broke through their encirclement.

The strongest member of Chen Shi's beast-hunting team was only a True Immortal, while the others were Celestial Immortals. Their attempts to capture Tianqi all ended in failure, and many of them were injured by Tianqi instead.

Besides them, other hunting teams also had their eyes on the Tianqi. Just when they were about to succeed, they tripped them up, disrupted their formation, and caused the deaths of two of them.

"We should kill Lao Qian and his gang first! They're always trying to trip us up!"

As the beast-hunting team gathered together, Captain Pang Yunji said viciously, "If we capture Tianqi, everyone will get a good share of the money. With the money, Wang Chao can buy a True Immortal cultivation technique, and Xiao Lu can go into seclusion for life-and-death cultivation. Old Yu can find a sorcerer skilled in creation to help you reattach an arm! Xiao Zhong, now that you have money, what do you want to do?"

All eyes fell on Chen Shi, who gave a simple smile and was about to speak when he saw Fan Xiao. "Brother Pang, I have a friend here."

Chen Shi stood up, still smiling, and said, "Excuse me for a moment."

Pang Yunji looked at Fan Xiao, his heart filled with trepidation: "He's a master! This man is dressed in extremely luxurious clothes; he must have an extraordinary background!"

"Xiao Zhong, just say what's on your mind."

Pang Yunji reached for the immortal artifact beside him and said, "We're not afraid of trouble!"

Chen Shi turned around and smiled, "It's nothing. It's my senior brother who came looking for me. You guys discuss how to take down Lao Qian and the others first, I'll talk to my senior brother for a bit."

Fan Xiao stood quietly not far away, waiting for Chen Shi to approach.

"Zhong Wuwang?"

Fan Xiao said expressionlessly, "Does King Chen think that you can make me disappear without a trace just by changing your name? You underestimate me."

Chen Shi laughed and said, "You can only find me if I let you find me. If I concealed the secrets of heaven and left no trace, how could you find this place?"

Fan Xiao snorted, without denying it.

If Chen Shi deliberately concealed himself and changed his appearance, he would indeed not be able to find him.

Fan Xiao said calmly, "Chen Tianwang, you killed four of my junior brothers and sisters and ruined my sect's plans. I cannot kill you. Once I find you, I will take action, and no one can stop you. Luring me here was the biggest mistake you ever made."

He was sharp and menacing, and could kill Chen Shi at any moment.

Chen Shi said, "Xi Muran said that Senior Brother is proficient in swordsmanship and has comprehended the mysteries of the Primordial Chaos Division, making him the best swordsman in the world. He also said that Senior Brother deciphered the Primordial Chaos Division, gave him a Fuxi Qin, and taught him the Dragon Battle Wild Melody, which he used to kill me. I wonder if Senior Brother has deciphered the Primordial Chaos Division that I left behind?"

Fan Xiao was silent for a moment, then said, "No."

He paused, then added, "I cannot break the Primordial Chaos Separation and the Divide of Xuanhuang that you left in the bamboo forest of Jin'ao Island. But we have a deep-seated hatred between us, and I will not let you go just because I cannot break your moves. I swear I will not become a Great Luo if I do not kill you. I need to kill you to soothe my Dao heart and prove my Dao."

Chen Shi laughed and said, "I see. If Xi Muran were to use the Dragon Battle Wild Melody you taught me to kill me, would he live or die against my Primordial Chaos Split?"

Fan Xiao frowned slightly, feeling that even if he killed him now, his Dao heart would not be able to become clear and thorough, and he would not be able to prove the Dao.

If Jiao the Cripple wants to attain the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, he must find the great master who blinded him in one eye and left a golden needle in it, avenge this grudge, and then he can attain the realm.

Fan Xiao killed Chen Shi to avenge his junior brothers and sisters, which is the same principle.

However, Chen Shi's Hongmeng splitting was like a golden needle, piercing into his Dao heart, becoming a thorn in his side, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Even if he kills Chen Shi, he will still be unable to attain the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm due to this deficiency in his Dao heart.

Seeing his expression, Chen Shi smiled and said, "Senior Brother, I'll give you a chance to stay by my side and have plenty of time to decipher my Primordial Chaos Split. The moment you decipher the Primordial Chaos Split, you can kill me and take revenge."

"Okay," Fan Xiao agreed.

Chen Shi patiently guided him, saying, "The Great Wilderness Dao Collection that the Supreme One imparted to you, I derived another move based on the Lesser Heavenly Tribulation Formation. The Supreme One probably didn't teach you this move. Senior Brother, are you interested in this move?"

Fan Xiao shook his head: "I have already broken free from the Great Wilderness Daoist Collection and forged my own path. There is no need for me to witness this move."

He paused and said, "Back then, I deduced that there was one more move after the Lesser Heavenly Tribulation Formation, so I became disheartened and chose the path of swordsmanship."

Chen Shi asked in surprise, "You knew all along that the Supreme One had a trick up his sleeve? Why didn't you tell Xi Muran and the others?"

Fan Xiao remained silent and did not answer.

Chen Shi did not press the matter further.

The two stood facing each other in silence.

Fan Xiao broke the silence and said, "I already know about your trip to the Beihai mining area."

Chen Shi nodded: "I led you there, deliberately leaving traces."

Fan Xiao remained silent, feeling that from the moment he came to see him, he had been led by the nose and put on the defensive. So he changed the subject and said, "You cried when you left the mining area. Someone saw it."

Chen Shi said, "Grieve for the hardships of the people's lives, shedding tears is not excessive."

Fan Xiao said, "Tell me."

Chen Shi let out a long sigh and told Fan Xiao about his experience at the ancestral temple. Finally, he said, "Immortal Wencheng deserved to be torn to pieces, but I want to see and experience what he went through with my own eyes."

"My life in Xiniu New Continent was full of twists and turns, and I experienced a lot of hardships. The people in the village also went through a lot of inhuman things. But after I ascended to heaven and entered the Heavenly Court, I had a godmother supporting me, the Eastern King Duke protecting me, and the Great Heavenly Venerable bestowing me territory. I never suffered in the Earthly Immortal Realm, and that's how I became Chen Tianwang. I even thought that the worst clothes I wore were the clothes worn by the lowest-level immortals."

“I’ve had a smooth and successful career. Even when I arrived in Penglai West, I turned it into one of the most sacred places in the world. Your Celestial Court’s rebellion against the Heavenly Court is, in my opinion, nothing more than a power struggle among the superiors, and has nothing to do with the lower-level immortals. It’s just a matter of you superiors redistributing the benefits. But Immortal Wencheng’s madness has made me realize that I may be wrong.”

Fan Xiao asked, "What did you see in the North Sea?"

Chen Shi tried to smile, but his face only twitched.

"Evil spirits roam Xinzhou. Although the thirteen powerful families control the government and the local area, scholars can still learn the Heavenly Heart Righteousness Technique and pursue their studies and take the imperial examinations. Although they can only become minor officials, they can still survive."

He was silent for a moment, then said sadly, "When I arrived in Beihai, I found that all the channels for advancement had been blocked. Those in power would leave behind scraps, or even if they weren't scraps, just some petty gains, and then make the immortals at the bottom fight desperately for these petty gains, squeezing themselves and others at the same time."

He recalled that Hei Tai was the one who kept Qin Shuang as an example.

When Guan Qinshuang was a gangster, she exploited others relentlessly; when she was a miner, she exploited herself.

In the end, the woman was drained dry, and no one knew whether she was alive or dead; all that could be said was that she was probably dead.

"In Xiniu New Continent, there are evil spirits outside and powerful families above, but at least people are still human. But in the North Sea, immortals kill each other for things that their superiors can squeeze out from between their teeth, fighting to the death. They can no longer be considered human."

Chen Shi said, “The moment I left the mining area, I realized that there were countless people like Guan Qinshuang in Beihai. No one cared about their lives or deaths. I was overwhelmed by sadness and felt that it was unfair to them. I couldn’t stop crying.”

Fan Xiaohan's icy expression seemed to soften slightly as he said, "Junior Brother Chen, this is why the Celestial Court must overthrow the Heavenly Court. The Celestial Court is growing stronger in the North Sea and is now able to rival the Northern Emperor, precisely because the immortals here are living in too much hardship."

Chen Shi shook his head and said, "The Celestial Court is just another Heavenly Court. Even if the lower-level immortals support the Celestial Court and overthrow the Heavenly Court, it will only be the next Heavenly Court. The situation of the lower-level immortals will not change at all. They have just been bewitched by the Celestial Court and become the tools in the Celestial Court's hands to deal with the Heavenly Court."

Fan Xiao snorted: "Chen Tianwang is stubborn and self-willed, unaware of His Majesty's vast and magnanimous heart."

Chen Shi snorted, "Immortal Emperor Supreme? I have a blood feud with him, I will definitely kill him!"

Fan Xiao's eyes flashed with a fierce light, radiating murderous intent.

Chen Shi turned and walked toward the animal-catching team without caring, and said with a smile, "My senior brother has been following me into the animal-catching team these days."

Fan Xiao followed him.

Upon arriving at the beast-hunting team, Chen Shi gestured for him to stay, then approached the team leader, Pang Yunji, and lowered his voice, saying, "Boss, that's my senior brother over there. He's more skilled than me, already at the peak of the Celestial Immortal Realm, and about to reach the Dao Realm. He also wants to join our beast-hunting team to earn some money and attempt to break through to the True Immortal Realm. How much do you think he's worth?"

Pang Yunji was startled: "You're going to sell your senior brother?"

"Sell!"

Chen Shi said decisively, "He did his job well and saved up enough money to buy himself back. Boss, just treat him like an animal; he's tough and won't die!"

Pang Yunji paid Chen Shi and smiled at Fan Xiao.

Fan Xiao doesn't always respond coldly to kindness; instead, he nods with a smile.

"He's been sold out and he's still laughing. He's got a really strange temper." Pang Yunji shook his head.

(End of this chapter)