Chapter 2352: Chapter 2356: A Gift
"You..."
Lin Shanshan glared at Feng Qingyang, stood up, and looked at the gray-robed elder. She was just about to speak when she was frightened into silence by the fierce look in the gray-robed elder’s eyes.
"Esteemed Senior."
Liu Chang gritted his teeth, stood up, and said, "He is a student of our Changling Academy, and also a disciple of one of our academy’s elders. Although the junior does not know what enmity exists between you and Jiang Chen’s teacher, I kindly ask you to spare Jiang Chen for the sake of Changling Academy."
"Changling Academy? They are students of Changling Academy, one of the Six Great Academies?"
"No wonder they dare not give Liu Yunjian any face, turns out they’re students of Changling Academy!"
"What about Changling Academy? This is the Forsaken Town, here, the Forsaken Tavern is the ultimate power. Even if the principal of Changling Academy came here, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd around started whispering, each looking at Jiang Chen with eyes as if they were looking at a dead man.
"Your name is Jiang Chen, right? Where is your teacher?"
The gray-robed elder glanced at Jian Wuheng and the others, and softly inquired of Jiang Chen.
"If the esteemed senior seeks revenge on my teacher, then I am willing to take it upon myself!"
Jiang Chen looked directly at the gray-robed elder, his eyes fearless, but the crouched body stood up, looking down at the gray-robed elder.
If one is a senior, respect is due; if an enemy, there’s no need for a shred of humility.
"Haha, young friend, who told you that I have a grudge against your teacher?"
The gray-robed elder chuckled lightly and said, "Years ago, I was devoured by the Heart Demon, losing my sanity. It was your teacher who happened to pass by and saved my life. He severed my arm because I transferred the Heart Demon’s Tribulation from my Sea of Consciousness to the arm to survive. He is my life-saving benefactor, not an enemy!"
"Life-saving benefactor?!"
The crowd was dumbfounded; the rapid turn of events left them momentarily stunned.
The gray-robed elder paused as well, glanced at the elder, and gathered in the fierce light in his eyes.
Jian Wuheng and the others all breathed a sigh of relief, while Pang Wei by the window had a change in expression, his demeanor flickering.
How could it be?! How could he be a life-saving benefactor! It’s an enemy! Isn’t it an enemy?
Liu Yunjian roared inwardly, but it couldn’t change anything, a look of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
Phew!
Jiang Chen let out a long breath. Though he appeared calm, inside he was extremely nervous.
Others speculated that this gray-robed elder might be a Saint, but he could assert that the elder was indeed a Saint. He could now vaguely sense the energy fluctuations of a Unity Realm Stage expert, but when the elder appeared, he felt nothing.
Even at this moment, watching the elder, he felt as if the elder was not there!
"Young friend Jiang Chen, can you tell me where your teacher is now?"
The gray-robed elder softly spoke.
"My teacher... has fallen!"
Jiang Chen’s expression darkened, and he spoke in a low voice.
The gray-robed elder was slightly taken aback, sighed lightly, "Didn’t expect Wu Ying, such a natural talent, to fall so early!"
Gray-robed elder’s eyes also showed a touch of regret. He had heard that the Great Elder was saved by someone, thinking it was the one called Wu Ying, but he didn’t know the details, hence the earlier fierce expression.
"Young friend Jiang Chen, I have not yet repaid the kindness Wu Ying showed me those days."
The gray-robed elder retrieved an Ancient Jade filled with a sense of age from his bosom and handed it to Jiang Chen, "Since you are his student, and we have fate to meet, let me repay it through you. Keep this Spirit Jade safe; if you encounter mortal danger, you can activate it with your Divine Sense, and I will come."
Jiang Chen was slightly stunned, glanced at the Ancient Jade, hesitated briefly, then reached out to take it.
Afterward, he clasped his hands respectfully and said, "Thank you, esteemed elder. My teacher’s great enmity is unavenged, and I am powerless, temporarily lacking the capability to avenge him, but should I encounter the one who murdered my teacher, I will notify the elder!"
"Who killed your teacher?"
The gray-robed elder furrowed his brow, a fierce look appearing in his eyes.
Jiang Chen’s face turned cold, and he spoke chillingly, "Former Domain Lord of Mingqian Realm, Zhang Yubo, colluded with my teacher’s former servant Wu Qian!"
"Zhang Yubo? I recall Wu Ying saying Zhang Yubo was his only friend, how could it be..."
The gray-robed elder furrowed his brow, his eyes showing a hint of suspicion.
"At that time, my teacher sensed the opportunity to become a Saint, summoned by the Great Emperor himself, intending to appoint my teacher as a Domain Lord. Zhang Yubo coveted power, and out of jealousy for my teacher’s talent surpassing his, he poisoned my teacher. During my teacher’s Saint Tribulation, he hired people to attack, causing the tribulation to fail, resulting in my teacher’s demise!"
Jiang Chen explained solemnly, emanating a cold aura.
The gray-robed elder shifted focus, staring directly into Jiang Chen’s eyes, gently asked, "Why did you acknowledge your relationship with your teacher even after learning he severed my arm?"
"Though I’ve never met my teacher, I’ve received his legacy. While my teacher has passed, his kindness cannot be forgotten, mustn’t be forgotten!"
Jiang Chen spoke honestly, his eyes meeting those of the gray-robed elder, without a hint of evasion.
"After Wu Ying’s death, to have a successor like you, he can rest peacefully!"
The gray-robed elder watched Jiang Chen for a while, then smiled contentedly, expressing admiration.
"Are you not leaving? Want to die here? Today the Great Elder found an old friend, I do not wish to taint it with blood, leave now!"
Confirming Jiang Chen’s identity, the gray-robed elder turned and coldly dismissed Liu Yunjian and his companions.
Liu Yunjian and his companions felt as if they’ve been granted amnesty, hurriedly rushing down the stairs.
"Young friend, I am Jin Ming, if you don’t mind, call me Grandpa Jin like your teacher called me Uncle Jin!"
The gray-robed elder’s eyes flashed with reminiscence, he chuckled softly.
"Grandpa Jin!"
Jiang Chen bowed respectfully and crouched down again.
"You came here for a trial?"
Jin Ming gently inquired.
"No, it’s the academy’s entrance examination. Truthfully, I don’t count as a main academy student yet, it’s..."
Jiang Chen softly explained.
"Entering Forsaken Plains for the examination?"
Jin Ming was slightly taken aback, then his eyes flashed with realization, "Seems like an exercise for you, preparing for that matter. If that’s the case, I mustn’t intervene; if I do, your exercise loses meaning."
Glancing at Pang Wei by the window with hesitation on his face, Jin Ming softly reminded, "Jiang Chen, Forsaken Plains is fraught with peril, some people cannot be trusted with your back!"
"Don’t worry, Grandpa Jin, I know what I’m doing!"
Jiang Chen nodded lightly.
