Book 3, Chapter 69: Shortcut

Gao Ming stood up and took out a map from his drawer. He spread it on the table before them.

It was a map of Central City, on which Gao Ming had drawn various paths with a red pen.

“United Might’s main business operations were once outside of Central City, though still within the mainland. They’ve only established their business in Central City a little over ten years ago.

“It mainly offers ground transport of goods between the Central Cities of various countries and the cities around them. Their secondary business is mercenary and company security services.

“While every big company has their own security team, most of them are stationed near the companies. Since the competition between companies is so fierce and they sometimes even attack each other, the security teams can’t leave their stations without a very good reason. Because of that, they hire United Might to transport goods that aren’t that important.

“Zhao Qian is in charge of coordinating the transport of goods and ensuring its success. If the company gets any important escort tasks, he personally does them.

“Based on United Might’s public business record, Zhao Qian leaves Central City once every two months.

“After leaving Central City, much of the technology that works in Central City becomes weaker or stops altogether. He will only have a portion of the company’s security team with him too. If you want to use a more direct method to take him down, that will be your only chance to get close to him.

“But this is extremely risky. Escort tasks like this are given to United Might to stop the ambushes of other companies. Aside from the necessary equipment, the escort team usually has more than one Third Limit martial artist.”

Chen Chuan hummed at that. This was indeed not an easy task. Not only would he have to fight against Third Limit martial artists, but he would also have to deal with a heavily armed team.

Since the team was likely trained to fight Third Limit martial artists and have armored cars that were practically impossible to take down, the difficulty of this plan was so high that with his current strength, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Also, if he couldn’t kill everyone in one go, his plan would get exposed. Then, United Might would get involved in his feud with Zhao Qian, and things would become even more complicated. After all, he would be attacking the company’s escort motorcade, and they wouldn’t care whether he was doing it to take down Zhao Qian or some other reasons.

Unless, of course, he became a Third Limit martial artist. Then, he could give it a try.

Chen Chuan gave the two plans some thought. The first plan was safer but full of uncertainties. It would also require a lot more time, not that he could carry out the second plan immediately.

Although, he did have a method he could use to kill Zhao Qian—the supernatural being he just caught.

It wasn’t actually hard or complicated to use the supernatural being, but Chen Chuan wasn’t willing to sacrifice his mutated tissue.

Based on his theory, the offering of the ritual caster’s mutated tissue was some form of promise between the supernatural being and the ritual caster. Once that promise was made, the caster slotted themselves as a backup offering. Phantom Form’s fate was decided the moment he cast the ritual.

If Chen Chuan could make a different promise with the supernatural being, he could kill Zhao Qian remotely.

This wasn’t an impossible task. If he hadn’t misinterpreted things, the old notebook he got from Phantom Form’s house contained the steps to form the promise. He had sent pictures of it to Lei Guangcheng, and he expected to get his results soon.

So, he said to Gao Ming, “Thanks for all the hard work. I have another plan in mind, though I haven’t gotten a definite answer as to whether it’ll work yet. I’ll call you in a few days.”

Gao Ming nodded and said, “Alright. Call me if you have any questions.”

Chen Chuan exchanged a few more words with him before returning to the Arcane Palace.

It was peaceful over the next few days. No one tried to attack him, and Wu Bei didn’t notify him of anyone suspicious around him.

On the first day off in April, Chen Chuan visited Cao Guiqi again. After they met, Cao Guiqi brought him to a garden at the back of his manor.

The living conditions in the residential area of Motie Mountain were great. The plants and flowers in the area were all rare and beautiful. The air was incredibly fresh, and Chen Chuan could occasionally hear birds chirping, which made him feel like he was in a quiet forest in a valley.

After sitting in the garden for a while, Chen Chuan felt his heart calm down. Cao Guiqi set down the cup of tea and had the attendant serving them tea leave. Only Mr. Ding, his butler, remained.

“I heard that you took your second assessment, and your chance of reaching the Third Limit is now more than 80%.”

“That’s true,” Chen Chuan confirmed. All the lecturers in the university could see the students’ assessment report. While Cao Guiqi wasn’t a lecturer, it wasn’t hard for him to learn about it.

Cao Guiqi gave him an expectant look. “You’ve improved greatly. Looks like you’re suited for the medicine and Radiant Light. Mr. Ding, bring it here.”

Mr. Ding bowed and left. Soon, he came back with a potted plant. The pot was beautiful. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, and it had colorful patterns of leaves and petals, making it truly pleasing to the eye. The plant inside was encircled in a cage made of white branches. The branches stretched outward and intertwined with each other. It was like an exquisite work of art.

But the branches were too frail, leading to anyone seeing it to worry that even the slightest breeze would make them snap and ruin the beauty.

Mr. Ding carefully set the plant on the table.

Cao Guiqi lifted his sleeves and reached over to push the plant to Chen Chuan. “Stare at it. Listen to it and sense its movements, just like when you do while meditating.”

Chen Chuan did as he was instructed and got rid of all unnecessary thoughts before focusing his attention on the plant.

While waiting, Cao Guiqi enjoyed his tea and stared at the plant and Chen Chuan. After waiting patiently for twenty or so minutes, he asked, “Did you sense anything?”

“No,” Chen Chuan answered honestly.

Cao Guiqi grunted and cast the plant another look before he gave a signal to Mr. Ding. The butler came forward and took the plant away.

“What was that?” Chen Chuan asked.

“The plant is officially known as the Imprisoned Sentient Root. In the past, you could find many of them in temples. They’re also known as Wisdom Root or Divine Grass. Their numbers have been dwindling, though, because the Imprisoned Sentient Root can only grow in extremely fertile lands and unpolluted environments. You also need a unique method to keep it alive. There aren’t many who possess that skill nowadays.

“Aside from serving as an ornamental plant and a show of the owner’s status, it can also gauge one’s progress.

“If you’re close to or are about to cross the boundary to the Third Limit, your biofield goes through a unique transformation. In the past, it was known as the fluctuations of divine energy. The Imprisoned Sentient Root is very sensitive to those fluctuations. If you stare at it and sense its movements, it’ll bloom for you.

“Even though it didn’t move much just now, some of its branches swayed. It means that while you haven’t reached the threshold of the Third Limit, you’re no longer far from it.

“Don’t ask me to give you a specific time. I won’t be able to tell. This isn’t something the Imprisoned Sentient Root can do. Everyone’s foundation is different, and their progress is naturally not the same as well.

“But I’ll say that if you can sense yourself improving nonstop, that isn’t a bad thing. It means that you have great potential and much greater room for growth compared to other people. Don’t be impatient and keep up your current training rhythm.”

Chen Chuan nodded.

“Remember what I said last time? Even if I’m a great teacher, it won’t compare to pouring mountains of resources on you. The growth window is very short. That’s why it’s better to give you more resources during it than not giving anything at all. I suggest you think about getting help to grow stronger from other places as well,” Cao Guiqi pointed out.

Chen Chuan thought about it and said honestly, “I can try to get another hour of Radiant Light from the Resolution Department, but I don’t have any clues on how to get more Treasure Paste.”

Cao Guiqi pondered over this before asking, “Have you heard about Green Satchel Pharmacy?”

“I have. They’re the second largest pharmaceutical company, right after Tiancong Baicao,” Chen Chuan answered.

“Green Satchel Pharmacy is competing against Tiancong Baicao in all ways, including medicine research. They came up with a new medicine designed to rival Tiancong Baicao’s Treasure Paste, and they’ve been looking for a suitable test subject for it.

“You have a high tolerance for various medicines and can bring out their full effects. You also suffer very little side effects. This is an ability that many people would kill to have. If you want, I could apply for a batch of medicine from Green Satchel Pharmacy. Perhaps it would help you.”

Chen Chuan considered it before saying, “Thank you, Senior Cao. I need to think about it.”

“It all depends on you. No matter what, you know yourself best. Mr. Ding will give you the information about Green Satchel Pharmacy’s medicine later. If you want it, just tell me,” Cao Guiqi said with a nod.

“Thank you again,” Chen Chuan said gratefully.

Cao Guiqi accepted his thanks with a grunt. “There’s another way to strengthen your bones and organs, and you have easy access to it. I’m sure you know about the Secret Python Cult.”

“I do. Tan Wang was a member of it,” Chen Chuan answered.

“The Secret Python Cult has great ambitions to expand their business. They’re also the most successful old cult to have changed its structure in Central City. They have both legal and illegal businesses.

“They’ve developed a unique bio-lifeform that can strengthen a martial artist’s bones, organs, and tendons through a certain way. While it can’t compare to Radiant Light, you can use it as an additional boost that brings substantial effects. I will write a referral letter for you. If you can afford it, you should consider it.

“Don’t worry about how quickly you’re spending your money at this stage. If you get one step ahead of the others, you’ll always be ahead of them. If you can reach the Third Limit, then all your previous investments will be nothing.”

“I fought against Tan Wang before, and he’s still in jail. Isn’t he part of the Secret Python Cult? Won’t they refuse to let me use their services because of it?” Chen Chuan asked.

“The Secret Python Cult is a loosely knit organization, and their clients are the most important thing to them.

“To the top management, the cult members are just slightly more special clients. They won’t refuse to sell you their services just because you fought against a member.

“The overall interests of the cult are greater than personal interests. They have a great reputation in this regard. If you want it, I can be your guarantor.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep