C4 Preparation in Advance
After that incident, Chen Dutian dedicated himself to intense cultivation. Upon reaching the Skyflight Realm, he was discovered by an elder of the Graymanes and taken under their wing. He faced numerous trials and tribulations, ultimately ascending to emperorship. Tragically, he was outmaneuvered and met his demise.
"This life will not see a repeat of those events," Chen Dutian declared, a sharp glint in his eyes as his aura of vengeance filled the room, causing the water in the bath to burst forth as he rose to his feet.
"Currently, I am at the third level of the Spirit Convergence Realm. With just half a month, I should be able to advance to the Astral Wandering Realm. Yet, that won't suffice. The elder in the Phethia palace is at the Skyflight Realm," Chen Dutian mused, his gaze flickering with determination.
"Before confronting that, I must prepare and find a way to stall for time. My father won't return for another twenty days," he thought to himself, resolved to disrupt their schemes.
"Let's begin with Qin Fan. If my memory serves me right, he should have already secured the Yellow-Robed Imperial Jade Seal by now," Chen Dutian chuckled, closing his eyes as a flood of past life memories surged to the forefront of his mind. "I must act quickly."
The practice room door swung open, and a regal, middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her thirties entered.
"Mother, what brings you here?" Chen Dutian, now fully clothed, greeted the woman warmly. She was none other than his mother, Zhao Danna, who in his previous life had suffered humiliation and met a tragic end.
"Mother, I vow to shield you from disgrace in this life," Chen Dutian silently pledged.
"I've heard you received divine guidance and have begun your cultivation journey. I came to see how you were doing," Zhao Danna said, her smile warm. Meanwhile, Yuan Liu peeked anxiously around the doorway, her tension easing upon seeing Chen Dutian unharmed.
She had been concerned that Chen Dutian might overindulge in the Awakening Pills.
"Yuan Liu, I assured you there was nothing to worry about," Chen Dutian said with an eye roll. "Mother, as you can see, I've ascended to the Awakening Realm as a martial artist."
As Chen Dutian spoke, his presence surged, showcasing the robust energy of someone at the fifth level of the Awakening Realm.
"Absolutely, I've always known my wonderful son is a true genius," exclaimed Zhao Danna with joy. Though she was an ordinary person, her role as the Lord Protector's wife granted her a discerning eye. Seeing her son able to cultivate filled her heart with happiness.
After a lengthy conversation with Zhao Danna, Chen Dutian finally left once she went to rest for her midday nap.
"I've been in seclusion for three days now; it's a bit longer than I intended. Time to get moving," Chen Dutian realized, acknowledging the duration of his cultivation.
With a swift motion, Chen Dutian attached a long saber to his waist, his face taking on a grim and determined look.
"Qin Fan," he muttered with a sly grin, striding towards the door. "Old Yuan, let's go. We've got someone to kill."
"Kill who?" Yuan Liu asked, clearly puzzled. As the Chief Steward of the Lord Protector's estate and a master of the Astral Wandering realm, he could see that Chen Dutian's strength had reached the Spirit Convergence realm. This revelation left him inwardly astonished.
The teachings of the divine indeed allowed a martial artist's strength to skyrocket in the early stages. It wasn't surprising that Chen Dutian had advanced from an ordinary person to the third level of the Spirit Convergence realm in just three days.
"Whoever lacks foresight will meet their end," Chen Dutian said with a chuckle, his chest seething with a boiling intent to kill. If his memories served him right, and nothing had changed, intercepting and eliminating Qin Fan would certainly provide an unexpected delight to both Yan Chen and Yan Nantian. He was confident they would appreciate this first gift upon his return.
"Recently, there have been undercurrents of conspiracy against the Lord Protector's house within the Imperial Capital. Elder Yuan, I trust you to look after Dutian and keep him safe," Zhao Danna's words echoed in Yuan Liu's mind.
"Rest assured, Madam. I will ensure that no harm comes to the Young Master," Yuan Liu silently vowed.
Chen Dutian gave Yuan Liu a knowing look, sensing his thoughts.
In his past life, it was Yuan Liu who had valiantly ensured Chen Dutian's safety. Without him, Chen Dutian would not have survived the ordeal with Song Mei Yue.
After leaving the Lord Protector's estate, Chen Dutian headed straight for Sparrow's Lane, the most bustling street in the Phethian Imperial Capital. The street ended at the Imperial City Square, with the Imperial Palace standing majestically beyond.
Yuan Liu trailed behind Chen Dutian, the picture of a devoted old servant. Yet, who would guess that this individual was actually a supreme master of the Astral Wandering realm?
"The Chen family's wastrel is out to cause trouble again."
"A hero for a father, yet the son is a disgrace."
"If it weren't for his father, the Lord Protector General Chen, he'd have been beaten to death and tossed into a filthy ditch long ago."
These murmurs reached Chen Dutian's ears, all expressing disdain for him. He couldn't help but grin; it was a sensation he hadn't experienced in quite some time.
As Chen Dutian smiled, many on Sparrow's Lane steered clear of him, giving him the impression of clearing the street like a fearsome tiger.
Yuan Liu's expression conveyed a touch of resignation. Her young master was perhaps overly mischievous, but never malicious. Yet, due to covert machinations, Chen Dutian's reputation had been thoroughly sullied in the Imperial Capital.
The uninformed masses believed Chen Dutian capable of any wicked deed, as if abducting maidens was as routine for him as daily meals.
"Make way for Lord Lu Ding Hou! Clear the path!"
Two brocade-clad servants brandished their staffs, intimidating the common folk to make way with a show of force.
"Kid, move it, or we won't be polite," one of the servants barked at Chen Dutian, who was blocking the way, brandishing his staff as if ready to strike at any moment.
"How impolite? I'm quite curious to see," Chen Dutian responded with a chuckle, his voice calm but audible enough for Qin Fan inside the sedan chair to hear clearly.
"Chen Dutian, it's you," Qin Fan emerged from the sedan, flanked by two guards who glared at Chen Dutian with fury. He vividly remembered his recent attempt to gain favor at the Lord Protector's estate, only to be turned away by Chen Dutian—without even setting foot inside.
"What do you want?" Qin Fan asked Chen Dutian with an icy stare. The thought of the items inside the sedan chair sent a slight tremor through his body, and a flush of excitement tinged his cheeks. Just a few more days of endurance, and the humiliation inflicted upon him by this detestable dandy would vanish for good. The beauty he had longed for in his dreams was soon to be within his grasp.
