Free Web NovelChapter 328: Chapter 204: If I’m Not Invincible, Who Is?
"Senior Brother Jiang, you’re finally here," Zhao Qiu said, running over in a panic.
"What’s wrong?" Jiang Man asked.
"Senior Brother Shangguan is injured," Zhao Qiu said immediately.
Shangguan Lingyue was powerful and resourceful.
Even though this was Jiang Man’s Array, Shangguan Lingyue was the one coordinating everything and everyone.
His sudden, grievous injury naturally sent everyone into a panic.
Jiang Man was also a little surprised. "How did he suddenly get injured?"
As he spoke, Jiang Man followed Zhao Qiu over to them.
Zhao Qiu shook his head; he didn’t know.
Shangguan Lingyue was lying weakly on the ground.
Hai Lian and the others nearby were trying to heal him with Magic Skills, but with negligible effect.
The only other option was Elixirs.
But they had used up nearly all the Healing Elixirs they’d brought with them on the journey.
When Jiang Man approached, the surrounding disciples automatically parted to make way for him.
Although they didn’t know what he was truly capable of, Shangguan Lingyue always wore an expression of admiration whenever he mentioned him.
Thus, everyone tacitly assumed he must be immensely powerful.
’Now that he’s here, he must have a solution.’
Jiang Man looked at the people around him, and a question formed in his mind. ’They’re all at the Golden Core realm, so why are they in such a panic?’
Golden Core cultivators were all Inner Sect Disciples, each of them a former prodigy of the Outer Sect.
They all had their pride.
’How did they become so ordinary just by being gathered together?’
’It’s probably because the environment is tougher now. Only the most exceptional can truly stand out.’
Take the top five from each Yunqian Bureau, for example. Most of them faded into mediocrity upon entering the Outer Sect.
There were more geniuses, and the competition was fiercer.
For every person who rose to prominence, many more were relegated to the background.
Zhao Qiu was one such person: a top student in the Outer Sect, but just an average one in the Inner Sect.
Jiang Man knelt beside Shangguan Lingyue and found the Spiritual Qi in the man’s body to be in utter chaos.
A distinctly foreign power was rampaging inside him.
This was the cause of his body’s unstable condition.
Though his eyes were open, he wasn’t fully conscious.
Jiang Man took a look; there were no external wounds.
"How was he injured?" Jiang Man asked.
’I’m not sure how to handle this either, but first I have to pacify the energy raging inside his body.’
With that thought, Jiang Man casually channeled a stream of his own Spiritual Qi into Shangguan Lingyue’s body.
He began to guide the violent energy.
’This is incredibly tricky,’ he thought the moment he made contact.
’This power is like a wild horse that’s thrown its rider. If I can’t tame it, his condition will only get worse.’
’Fortunately, I have some experience with guiding energy.’
He subconsciously began laying out assistive Array Patterns within the other man’s body.
"He was injured by a Demon Beast from the mist," Hai Lian said quickly. "After the second earthquake, we thought the mist hadn’t changed much. But as time went on, more and more Demon Beasts started appearing outside."
"And these Demon Beasts are incredibly bizarre. Not only are they difficult to kill, but they can also invade your body."
"That’s what happened to Senior Brother Shangguan."
Feeling the violent energy, Jiang Man understood. ’So, it was a Demon Beast.’
’It seems to be a special kind of Demon Beast, though.’
Jiang Man increased his power, then began to draw the rampaging energy, luring it into a trap made of his own Spiritual Qi.
And then, he snuffed it out in one fell swoop.
He had used an Array Pattern trap.
Once the Demon Beast was annihilated, its power completely dispersed throughout Shangguan Lingyue’s body.
His condition stabilized as well.
Only then did Jiang Man withdraw his hand. "He should be fine now. Check if he has any other obvious injuries."
"Th-They’re gone," Hai Lian said, aghast.
She was stunned. ’It’s over, just like that?’
Only someone who had tried to help knew how difficult the task had been.
She suddenly understood why Senior Brother Shangguan had seemed to give up fighting it.
Jiang Man told Shangguan Lingyue to get some rest, then headed back.
The others just stared at him, their expressions a mixture of astonishment and confusion.
They seemed unable to believe he had solved the problem so quickly.
Jiang Man paid them no mind.
’After seeing what I can do, they probably won’t come looking for trouble anymore.’
’So much for my chance to earn a large amount of Spiritual Source.’
Back under the large tree, Jiang Man briefly reviewed what Ting Fengyin had said.
’He knew some things about Meng Qiewei, but nothing specific.’
’My good relationship with Ji Meng... that information could easily find its way back to the Ji Family.’
’As long as Ting Fengyin has a spare moment to ask, he’ll find out.’
’All I can do is hope he’s too busy.’
’Then there’s the matter of the Demon Race skill I possess.’
’It comes from a Demon Lord. I have to help this Demon Lord grow, and even protect him if necessary.’
’I can’t be sure who this person is yet. I’ll just have to play it by ear.’
’Still, I made three gains this time.’
’I got some delicious fruit that I can give to Meng Qiewei.’
’I learned that this place is a tomb, and that the painting is the greatest treasure here.’
’And finally, I finished probing the three leaders.’
「The next day.」
Jiang Man continued to eat the orange fruit.
Ten days remained.
’I hope nothing unexpected happens.’
But that very day, Shangguan Lingyue, having just recovered some of his strength, came looking for him.
"The people from the Celestial Essence Array have found us."
’He came bearing bad news.’
"What do they want?" Jiang Man asked.
"They likely want to subjugate us. They approached me for that very reason at the start, and when I refused, they ambushed me. This injury is their doing," Shangguan Lingyue explained.
Jiang Man sighed. ’Looks like trouble has arrived.’
Shangguan Lingyue continued, "They will definitely come again. They’ll try diplomacy before resorting to force."
Jiang Man looked at him and asked curiously, "Are you afraid?"
Shangguan Lingyue froze for a second, not understanding what Jiang Man meant.
"I’m just curious what your thoughts are," Jiang Man said.
"Then what are your thoughts, Fellow Daoist Jiang?" Shangguan Lingyue asked.
Jiang Man met his gaze and said with a smile, "Once I reached first place, I never left it."
Shangguan Lingyue understood his meaning. "Once I reached first place, I also rarely finished otherwise."
Jiang Man nodded. "Then let them come. As long as I’m here, the Array won’t fall, and I won’t be defeated."
